Sturgeon’s in supreme denial

IT’S no surprise that the Supreme Court ruled an SNP Bill out of order last week.

Ministers were warned that parts of the bill – designed to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law – were incompatible with the Scotland Act, which sets the terms of devolution.

They chose to legislate anyway, daring the Supreme Court to strike it down, which it duly has. But this ruling creates a wider problem for the SNP.

Nicola Sturgeon says she’ll introduce a referendum Bill to parliament for another independence vote to take place. But constitutional matters like this are also outside the competence of Holyrood. The Supreme Court would likely strike that Bill down too, ruling it unlawful.

Perhaps that’s why she gave an interview last week talking about having ‘time on her side’. Better to pretend she’s playing the long game than have a court rule she can’t have the referendum she claims to crave.