Reform UK MSPs walk out of Holyrood chamber over independence debate
Reform UK MSPs have staged a walkout from the Holyrood chamber after failing in their bid to have a debate on Scottish independence cancelled, reports BritPanorama.
First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney called the session on Scotland’s right to decide, yet Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK north of the border, contended that constitutional issues are reserved matters and should not be discussed.
Following unsuccessful attempts to persuade Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson to intervene, Lord Offord described the debate as a “farce” and led his fellow MSPs in exiting the chamber.
He stated: “This debate is not just a farce, it is an insult to the Scottish electorate who expect their politicians to deal with serious issues in their communities.”
Lord Offord maintained that Scots are concerned with addressing “shocking” homelessness figures released earlier on Tuesday, alongside issues of public finances and rising drug deaths, the latter of which is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
“These are the serious matters of Government,” the Reform MSP said.
“In contrast, this debate is ill-judged, self-serving, and wholly inappropriate.”
He reiterated, “Reform won’t engage further in these pointless proceedings. We didn’t come into the Parliament to waste our time on vanity projects, and therefore I withdraw my amendment and we will exit from the chamber.”
The backdrop to this walkout involved MSPs debating a motion from Mr Swinney asserting, “Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future.”
This motion is likely to pass at Holyrood later on Tuesday, despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterating that another referendum is “off limits.”
Nevertheless, Mr Burnham was compelled to retract earlier statements in the Commons that suggested a second ballot on independence might be feasible if supported by the Scottish populace.
Mr Swinney, however, firmly declared that Mr Burnham’s opposition to another referendum “cannot hold.”
The SNP leader conveyed, “My party believes it is for the people of Scotland to decide when there is an independence referendum.”
Emphasising the need for Scotland to have a “fresh start” through independence, he affirmed that the “fundamental right to decide our nation’s future remains.”
Referencing the 2014 referendum where 55% supported remaining in the UK, Mr Swinney noted, “Just because a right has been exercised once does not mean it can never be exercised again.”
“If the people of Scotland themselves want the opportunity to ask the question again, who has the right to stop them?” he asked. “Scotland is a nation, and its people have the right to decide their future.”
Mr Swinney added, “The UK is a voluntary union, which means its nations can stay part of it or they can choose their independence. These two things were once accepted right across the political spectrum in Scotland.”
