Should Scotland be an independent country?

Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans for a second Scottish independence referendum on October 19 2023, despite political opponents calling it a “pretend poll”.

The vote’s legality will be determined by the Supreme Court in order to settle the argument about the Scottish Government’s right to hold a referendum, she said.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said his party will not participate in an illegal referendum.

Opposition MSPs have told the First Minister to stop putting the “priorities of Scots on the backburner” with the independence “obsession”.

It follows Ms Sturgeon’s ministerial statement to MSPs where she emphasised plans for an “indisputably lawful” referendum to take place.

In the event the court rules the proposals are outside of the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, the next general election will become “de facto referendum”, she said.

The Scottish Government requires a Section 30 order to legally hold a referendum – but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made clear this is not going to be granted.

Ms Sturgeon said a judicial determination will prevent doubt being cast on the legal basis for a referendum.

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asked Ms Sturgeon why her “fixation with breaking up the United Kingdom will always trump the needs of the people in the country”.

What are your views? Do you think Scotland should hold another referendum? How would you feel if Scotland became independent? Do you think Nicola Sturgeon represents the views of the Scottish people?