Ian Blackford has today put forward an urgent question at PMQs regarding today's decision from the UK Supreme Court regarding a Scottish independence referendum.
What is an Urgent Question?
According to the parliament website, an Urgent Question can be requested “if an urgent or important matter arises which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister.”
It requires a government minister to come to the House of Commons Chamber, with no prior notice, and give an immediate answer.
An MP can request that the Speaker can consider these requests daily, so long as the request is issued on time.
If the speaker is satisfied with the request and believes it is a matter of public importance, then it will be asked straight after Question Time on Monday to Thursday, or at 11am on a sitting Friday and may be repeated in the House of Lords.
The parliament website states: “The relevant Government Minister has to come to the Chamber to explain what the Government is doing on the issue raised. The Minister will then usually take questions on the subject from MPs.”
Supreme court rules Scottish independence referendum would not be lawful
We respect the Supreme Court ruling today but it puts to bed the idea that the UK is a voluntary union of equals. What right does a PM, with no mandate, have to deny Scottish democracy? The independence mandate is there and our movement must ensure our voice is heard #PMQs pic.twitter.com/mGiJveS9K6
— Ian Blackford 🇺🇦🏴 (@Ianblackford_MP) November 23, 2022
Prime Ministers Questions follows the news that the UK Supreme Court has ruled a Scottish independence referendum would not be lawful.
Scotland’s First Minister has said she is “disappointed” following the judgement.
UK Supreme Court president Lord Reed announced the unanimous judgment on Wednesday after Scotland’s top law officer referred a prospective Bill to the court.
Lord Reed said: “The Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she respects the court's conclusion, but added it “exposes as myth” the UK is a voluntary union.
She tweeted: “While disappointed by it I respect the ruling of @UKSupremeCourt – it doesn’t make law, only interprets it.
“A law that doesn’t allow Scotland to choose our own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth any notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership & makes case for Indy.”
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