Johnson rejects Sturgeon's request for independence referendum powers | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Johnson rejects Sturgeon's request for independence referendum powers

World+Biz

Reuters
14 January, 2020, 09:00 pm
Last modified: 14 January, 2020, 09:06 pm

Related News

  • UK to spend billions on job training to cut reliance on migrant workers
  • Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool parade, 27 in hospital
  • UK suspends trade talks with Israel, summons ambassador, issues sanctions over new Gaza offensive
  • EU, Britain go ahead with new Russia sanctions without waiting for Washington
  • Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza

Johnson rejects Sturgeon's request for independence referendum powers

The Scottish first minister said Johnson’s response to her request was predictable and that he was blocking another vote because he did not have a positive case for keeping the more than 300-year-old union

Reuters
14 January, 2020, 09:00 pm
Last modified: 14 January, 2020, 09:06 pm
FILE PHOTO: Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a statement at Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain December 19, 2019. Neil Hanna/Pool via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a statement at Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain December 19, 2019. Neil Hanna/Pool via REUTERS

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday refusing her request to be given the powers to hold another Scottish independence referendum.

As things stand, a referendum cannot take place without the consent of the UK government. Sturgeon wrote to Johnson in December asking him to enter negotiations on transferring the power to hold a referendum from London to Edinburgh.

"I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums," Johnson wrote in a letter which he posted on Twitter.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

He said he had told Sturgeon she had agreed that a 2014 referendum, in which Scots voted by 55 percent-45 percent to stay in the United Kingdom, would be a "once in a generation" vote.

He added: "Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade ... it is time that we all worked to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together."

Sturgeon argues that the 2016 vote to leave the European Union, with Britain set to leave the bloc on Jan. 31, warrants a new independence referendum because Scots overwhelming voted against Brexit while a majority of English voters supported it.

Polls suggest that Scots would narrowly reject independence again although Sturgeon's Scottish National Party won 48 of Scotland's 59 seats in Britain's national election last month, taking 45percent of votes cast, an 8 percentage-point increase from 2017.

The Scottish first minister said Johnson's response to her request was predictable and that he was blocking another vote because he did not have a positive case for keeping the more than 300-year-old union.

"While today's response is not surprising - indeed we anticipated it - it will not stand," Sturgeon said in a statement.

"It is not politically sustainable for any Westminster government to stand in the way of the right of the people of Scotland to decide their own future and to seek to block the clear democratic mandate for an independence referendum."

She said the Scottish government would set out its next steps later this month and would seek the devolved Scottish parliament's backing again for another plebiscite.

"Democracy will prevail," she added.

Politics

scotland / United Kingdom (UK)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
    Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
  • Leaders and activists of BNP gather at Nayapaltan ahead of the rally of three BNP affiliated organisations on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic likely to clog Dhaka roads, including Shahbagh, Nayapaltan, Kakrail
  • File photo of jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam
    Jamaat leader ATM Azharul walks out of jail after acquittal in war crimes case

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • UK to spend billions on job training to cut reliance on migrant workers
  • Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool parade, 27 in hospital
  • UK suspends trade talks with Israel, summons ambassador, issues sanctions over new Gaza offensive
  • EU, Britain go ahead with new Russia sanctions without waiting for Washington
  • Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

How can we protect Dhaka’s rivers and canals from plastic waste?

How can we protect Dhaka’s rivers and canals from plastic waste?

1h | TBS Programs
Jamaat leader ATM Azhar released from prison after 13 years

Jamaat leader ATM Azhar released from prison after 13 years

1h | TBS Today
Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

12h | Others
Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

12h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net