Britain | A long road

Scotland’s independence movement suffers a setback at the Supreme Court

One route to an independence referendum is blocked. Nicola Sturgeon seeks another

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 23: A man holding an EU Saltire umbrella is seen outside the Scottish Parliament on November 23, 2022 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. A majority of Scottish MPs support holding a second independence referendum, but Downing Street has refused to agree to it. A previous independence vote was held in 2014 with Westminster's assent; Scots decided against leaving the union by 55% to 45%. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

“It’s up to this place now,” said Finlay Royle, gesturing towards the Houses of Parliament. He was leading a demonstration, clutching Saltires and eu flags, outside the Supreme Court on November 23rd. Mr Royle seemed rather chirpy for one whose campaign had just been dealt a blow; but breaking up a country is not for the faint of heart.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “A long road”

Frozen out

From the November 26th 2022 edition

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