Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has called for democracy in Scotland to be upheld following today’s ruling from the Supreme Court.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on a reference from the Lord Advocate, the Scottish Government’s senior Law Officer, seeking clarity on whether or not the Scotland Act 1998 allows the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum on independence.

Alasdair Allan said:

“We should be clear that the Supreme Court judgement today was about interpreting a narrow question around the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998, as opposed to a judgement on independence itself. Judges interpret the law; not make it. I offer no criticism of the judges and we should all respect and accept the judgment of the Court.

“However, the ruling exposes the limitations placed upon Scotland by devolution. If there is no legal way for Scotland to exercise decisions on its own constitutional future, and the UK Government blocks all other routes, who can credibly claim Scotland is in a voluntary union?

“The UK Government is now regularly ignoring Scotland’s elected parliament. Scotland cannot afford to stay in this union under governments that we generally don’t elect. Democracy cannot be denied forever. The people of Scotland will be given the opportunity to choose their own future at the next UK General Election.

“As the Chair of the Scottish Constitutional Convention Canon Kenyon Wright once said: ‘What if that other voice we all know so well responds by saying, 'We say no, and we are the state'? Well we say yes – and we are the people.’”