UK PM Johnson trying to stem support for another Scottish independence referendum

Murtaza Jaffer
Press TV, London

The UK may be on the verge of a constitutional crisis as the push for Scottish independence gains momentum, so much so Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew across the border into Scotland hoping to placate the growing calls for a second independence referendum.

As Britain crossed 100,000 COVID deaths, focus turned to Johnson as he apologized to the nation. In the background, the impact of his Brexit deal is beginning to bite up and down the country, none more so than in Scotland where the fishing industry is on the rocks.

Polling there now suggests historic levels of support for independence, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) pushing for a new referendum on leaving the United Kingdom. Earlier, Johnson traveled north to Glasgow, to extol the benefits of the union, particularly during this global pandemic; however his efforts are being labelled “futile” by the SNP.

Leader Nicola Sturgeon described his journey as non-essential travel during a pandemic and called on Johnson to “lead by example.”

Deputy leader Keith Brown suggested the prime minister was in a “panic” at the prospect of a second independence vote. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove was forced to defend the trip.

On Sunday, the SNP revealed an 11-point "roadmap to a referendum" on Scottish independence, which sets out how the party intends to take forward its plan for another vote.

According to the SNP, a "legal referendum" will be held after the pandemic if there is a pro-independence majority at Holyrood following May's election.

For many the current push for independence has been magnified by Johnson being the prime minister. His handling of the pandemic and Brexit have only made things worse. Scotland voted to stay in the European Union and is reeling from the effects of the Brexit vote.

The Conservative party knows this and will be desperate to avoid the breakup of the union. Johnson may have an 80-seat majority, but his polling is low throughout the country. He still has time, but there will be some difficult decisions over his future going into any upcoming elections.