serve as a member of the scottish parliament.— scottish parliament.ever see secured for— scottish parliament. i never see secured for the _ scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, _ scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, this - scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, this time | secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east. the secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east.— secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east. ., , ., ., ., aberdeen east. the scottish national pa , aberdeen east. the scottish national party. smp- — aberdeen east. the scottish national party. smp- they've _ aberdeen east. the scottish national party, smp. they've had _ aberdeen east. the scottish national party, smp. they've had some - party, smp. they've had some significant _ party, smp. they've had some significant winds. _ party, smp. they've had some significant winds. other - party, smp. they've had some significant winds. other target| significant winds. other target seats in the selection of not fall on their way. but with res

it's the final tv debate of the 2021 scottish parliament elections here on the bbc. aders of the snp, the conservatives, labour, liberal democrats and scottish greens are facing each other with less than 48 hours till election day. but there are other parties fighting for your vote on thursday. and the voting system used for scottish parliament elections means smaller and newer parties are in with a real chance too. over the next half hour we'll hear from six of them who are are standing enough candidates to earn an election broadcast on tv and radio, including alex salmond, leader of the alba party. first up, another politician who doesn't need much of an introduction. george galloway, who was a labour mp in glasgow for the best part of two decades, now standing for another new party, all for unity. thank you for being with us this evening. if voters have not heard of your new party, which is possible given the polling we have seen so far, what are you all about? trying to sto far, what are you all about? trying to step the — far, what are you all about? trying to st

next scottish parliament and the next scottish parliament but all we are speaking about again is anotherttish greens increased their seeds to eight and said the prime minister cannot ignore a result that has delivered a mandate for another referendum. the has delivered a mandate for another referendum-— referendum. the position of the uk government _ referendum. the position of the uk government is _ referendum. the position of the uk government is verging _ referendum. the position of the uk government is verging on - referendum. the position of the uk government is verging on being - government is verging on being dangerous. they are saying to the people of scotland, there is no democratic path to allow them to make the decision about their own future and relying merely on legal technicalities rather than on any form of political legitimacy. but borisjohnson has made his position clear, telling the daily telegraph, i think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless. we could be looking at a constitutional stand—off between edinburgh and london, so what might happ

and the other for a the scottish parliament and the otherfor a party the scottish parliament and theer for a party for the the scottish parliament and the otherfor a party for the region. in the original ballot, parties are allocated a number of msps, depending on how many votes they receive once the number of constituencies already one in that region is taken into account. in order to make the overall result more personal. the scottish government is formed from the party that holds the most seats in parliament, or alternatively, a coalition of more than one party. let's talk to our political correspondent, who is here. two days from the vote, we have had four debates including tonight, when it takes place. what is at the candidates have to do and the parties have to do to get more people on their side? it’s parties have to do to get more people on their side? it's been a stranue people on their side? it's been a strange election _ people on their side? it's been a strange election because - people on their side? it's been a strange election because it's - people on their side? it's

celebrations for the snp — an overall majority is unlikely but there will be enough support in the scottish parliamentor another independence referendum. the only people who can decide the future of scotland are the scottish people, and no westminster politician can or should stand in the way of that. but the uk government says going back to the polls for a referendum would be irresponsible and reckless. had an extraordinary couple of days with three masco political stories, the stories in wales, mark drakeford embedding himself in wales and all of wales, we have had the problems in the red wall and we have had the return of the snp for a fourth term in the scottish parliament, nicola sturgeon likely to be there for a decade. these are three huge building blocks in british politics. they are so distinct and distinctive because we are looking at a briton, not a uk, because there are no elections in northern ireland, which look very different politically. labour holding onto powerfirmly labour holding onto power firmly in wales. they will have been in power for nearly 26 years. the snp firmly in power i

in glascow, a scottish green party politician and member of the scottish parliament. in edinburgh, jim gallagher, a professor at university of glasgow and a performer -- and a former civil servant. welcome to the program. nicola, does the outcome set a collision course with the u.k. government? >> almost certainly yes. i do not think the scottish government under nicola sturgeon will be in a rush to press on with an independence referendum. there are many things to do first to prepare for that. the initial response of the u.k. government has suggested that there seems to be consensus that now is not the time to be having an independence referendum. the battle will come from -- will come in a couple of years probably when the scottish parliament, with its true independent majority, but wants to legislate to hold a referendum. it will be for the u.k. government to decide at that point fa wants to choose -- if they want to choose to potentially block it by ring into the court's or open the pat -- the path for others to block it. anchor: are we talking about a political b

one is for scottish parliament election. 0ne is for your— scottish parliament election.t a majority through those seats. but the conservatives and labour _ seats. but the conservatives and labour will target some local areas. they are _ labour will target some local areas. they are focusing on the regional list, they are focusing on the regional list. the — they are focusing on the regional list, the proportional representation part of this. for months. — representation part of this. for months, all you have heard from the tories _ months, all you have heard from the tories in _ months, all you have heard from the tories in scotland is, vote for us on the _ tories in scotland is, vote for us on the regional list. labour's message _ on the regional list. labour's message on that has been a bit late to the _ message on that has been a bit late to the game, some in the party think _ to the game, some in the party think. impossible to tell what is going _ think. impossible to tell what is going to — think. impossible to tell what is going to happen because it's been such a _

, and we take that as _ scottish parliament, and we take that as a — scottish parliament, and we takee- it _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not a _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not a devolved i referendum. you say it is a clear i mandate. it is not a devolved issue. it is something that the uk government have two grant in the way that they did in 2014. do you accept that they did in 2014. do you accept that if it ends up in the courts, borisjohnson is likely that if it ends up in the courts, boris johnson is likely to that if it ends up in the courts, borisjohnson is likely to win? i don't know about the court process there _ don't know about the court process there we — don't know about the court process there. we are looking at it as a democratic— there. we are looking at it as a democratic process. the referendum we had _ democratic process. the referendum we had in _ democratic process. the referendum we had in 2014 was granted by david ca

is a scottish green party politician a member of the scottish parliament and also jim gallagher on honoree a professor at university of glasgow and a former civil servant welcome to the program nicola does the outcome of the elections set the 1st minister on a collision course with the government over the issue of the referendum almost certainly yes i don't think it's got its government under nicholas don't you in a rush to press on with. an independence referendum i think there are many things to do 1st to prepare the grange far that. it mission the sponsor of the u.k. government has suggested that actually this is good i think it's good sense in that now is not the time to be having an independence jeff it ended in the past so we'll come in a couple of years probably and when the scottish parliament with its true independence majority will want to legislate say hold a referendum and it will be for the u.k. government to decide at that point if they want to choose to potentially block it by defining it to the courts or past for other just that ross are we talking here about a political ba

i the outcome might be for the scottish parliament?hink it definitely shows the _ scottish parliament? i think it i definitely shows the government scottish parliament? i think it - definitely shows the government are worried _ definitely shows the government are worried and many people calling the elections _ worried and many people calling the elections on thursday a referendum on a referendum and this is potentially billions of pounds being thrown _ potentially billions of pounds being thrown at _ potentially billions of pounds being thrown at scotland. roads, rail, education. — thrown at scotland. roads, rail, education, a desperate counteroffensive against nicola sturgeon we report today. this is all sturgeon we report today. this is ait about— sturgeon we report today. this is all about the elections on thursday and of— all about the elections on thursday and of course if nicola sturgeon -ets and of course if nicola sturgeon gets a _ and of course if nicola sturgeon gets a majority which is widely expected to, it could even be a

in scotland, voters have been electing a new scottish parliament, with 129 members, and in wales they'recting a new senedd or welsh parliament, with 60 members. in england, votes have been cast for 13 city and regional mayors, thousands of seats on 143 councils, and for 25 members of the london assembly. there are 39 police and crime commissioners are being elected in england and wales. and in addition to all that there's also been a parliamentary by—election in hartlepool, where labour is fighting to hold on to the seat. the only part of the uk without any elections is northern ireland. we'll be asking what's at stake in all these contests, but first, this report by our political correspondent ben wright. for all party leaders, these elections are a test. for borisjohnson, who voted in london this morning, they're one measure of how voters rate his handling of covid, which halted last year's poll and still shapes this. for labour's leader, sir keir starmer, these elections are a chance to prove he's taken the party forward since its general election drubbing. and for scotland's first mi

still did not reach a majority in the scottish parliament but i guess it's also fair to say that with proportional representation the scottish the parliament is not designed really for a majority is it. it really is a good afternoon here and yes that's absolutely right the voting system we have here in scotland makes it extremely difficult for any single party to win an overall majority so. people within one seat in the parliament which. you know they very want to see is and in fact. true polling almost 50 percent of the vote the same time this is the 6th election since the devolution period so the period of the scottish parliament and an overall majority is only has only happened once so it is it is the exception rather than the rules so to get almost 50 percent is a. it's a fairly big endorsement i think and when you add in the green party for example which is also pro independents it does give a majority a working majority all sorts certainly on the issue of independence so it becomes an issue of when rather than if. yes i think that's absolutely right there is now a clear majority

eventually, she does plan to pass legislation through the scottish parliament to authorise another votey have to challenge in court whether the scottish parliament has the legal authority to authorise that referendum. the uk minister charged with keeping the kingdom united is in scotland swerving questions on a legal challenge to any referendum. the priority at the moment is not court cases, it is not independence legislation, it is recovery from the pandemic. and to be fair to the first minister, during the course of this election campaign, she said that was the single most important thing that we should all be concentrating on. we should work together as team uk in order to deal with the pandemic. is scotland allowed to leave the uk? of course it is. how? through a legal referendum which would allow people to make that choice. votes cast on thursday appeared to show voters in scotland are split roughly 50—50 on the question of independence. anyone eager for another referendum will have to be patient. this election result makes it more likely, but not imminent. i would like it to happe

clearly, the scottish parliament.rendum, which _ question is whether a referendum, which would be an advisory referendum, with no necessary implication is one way or the other, it wouldn't— implication is one way or the other, it wouldn't have any legal consequences, would that be sufficiently related to the union to full within— sufficiently related to the union to full within that reservation to westminster? —— to full within. how westminster? -- to full within. how imortant westminster? -- to full within. how important is — westminster? -- to full within. how important is it _ westminster? -- to full within. how important is it to _ westminster? -- to full within. how important is it to the _ westminster? —— to full within. firm? important is it to the snp that if they have another referendum it is on and seems to be on a sound legal footing? it on and seems to be on a sound legal footin: ? . on and seems to be on a sound legal footinu? , ., , , on and seems to be on a sound legal footinu? , ,~ .., footing? it is a

when the scottish parliament decides it is right— the scottish parliament decides it is right to — the. thank ou, first independence than that one. thank you, first minister. _ you, first minister. allan little, we cannot underestimate what an extraordinary achievement nicola sturgeon has pulled off. here she is, the fourth term of a scottish national party government in scotland. someone who has built on the share of the vote. it is astonishing, actually. it has built on the share of the vote. it is astonishing, actually.- it is astonishing, actually. it is, when you _ it is astonishing, actually. it is, when you think _ it is astonishing, actually. it is, when you think about _ it is astonishing, actually. it is, when you think about when i it is astonishing, actually. it is, when you think about when she it is astonishing, actually. it 3 when you think about when she went into politics, she didn'tjoin the snp to have a career in government because they never got elected. i have argued before on the bbc that margaret thatcher is the godmother of that building because the more they he

all 129 members of the scottish parliament in holyrood up for election, all 60 members of the welsh seneddwers that those devolved authorities, those parliaments have. all 39 police and crime commissioners up for election as well in england, important for policing in those areas. london assembly, 25 seats. the london mayoralty as well, lucky us, but notjust the london mayoralty but 13 directly elected mayors across england as well. now, let's have a think about what victory might look like in the different places. obviously loads of attention going to be on the scottish parliament. snp currently have 61 seats, they need 65 seats to get a majority, that's what they really, really want. if they don't get it, they'll argue that if the scottish greens take them over the line for a pro—independence majority, that that would give them a reason, a mandate, to have another referendum. the other parties trying to stop them achieving that. in wales, labourjust trying to hang on, really. they've been in power since 1999, over 20 years, in wales, trying their best to keep as many of the 29 seats, almo

spoke this afternoon for the first time since pro—independence parties won a majority in the scottish parliamentovernment believes independence was settled in 2014 and that the scottish government should focus on the post—pandemic recovery. here's our scotland editor, sarah smith. nicola sturgeon congratulating some of her brand—new msps who will bolster the pro—independence majority in the next scottish parliament. confident she has a strong mandate for an independence referendum, she still might eventually face the hurdle of a legal challenge from a uk government. will you see them in court if you have to? to have a referendum. i think we should probably _ to have a referendum. i think we should probably all _ to have a referendum. i think we should probably all respect - should probably all respect democracy. the snp won the election on a commitment for a referendum when we are through the crisis and we won that election overwhelmingly and in any normal democracy, that would be expected. for now, she is clear, her priority is dealing with the pandemic and she is to meet the prime minister for

a, his place in the scottish parliament.— his place in the scottish parliament. �* , , parliament.just saying, beast, and as alan was just saying, very close to nicola sturgeon, very much on her wing of the party. very much on her wing of the party. very much in tune with her and her attitude towards the progression towards an independence referendum. there is no doubt that she is going to want him closely by her side in the scottish parliament. he will come in that i imagine he will go straight into a very big job in the parliament. that is a very big, it was actually a terrific majority in edinburgh central. obviously ruth davidson a hard act to follow, no particular recognition for her successor. and yet everybody does know angus robertson because he was the snp leader at westminster. on that point of view, this is a very significant moment for nicola sturgeon. what we are also waiting for tonight as dumbarton, which is the one with the littlest majority, 109 in scotland. and he will get that before 9pm, we understand. and when that comes in, and we will be even clearer about th

kaukab stewart became the first woman of colour elected to the scottish parliament. t, i will not be the last. and with a pro—independence majority in that parliament, nicola sturgeon says westminster cannot stand in the way of another referendum. all of this risks treating voters in scotland and our entire democratic process as if they simply don't matter, like they are just a sideshow. voters are not a sideshow. when the tories held on to aberdeenshire west, the snp�*s hopes for an outright majority were extinguished. scottish conservatives campaigned saying a vote for them would stop another independence referendum and now say it's time to move on. we need to focus on the issues that will secure scotland's recovery, and that really is important for people's jobs, for young people's education, for investing in our nhs after everything they've done over the last year to get us through this pandemic. the pro—independence scottish greens increased their seats to eight and say the prime minister cannot ignore a result that's delivered a mandate for another referendum. i

but anyone who knows anything about the legislative process in the scottish parliament knows that anyernment needs to consult its law officers before it brings forward legislation. that will all be part and parcel of what we do. i don't want to lose this point, andrew. so, no, we haven't got to the stage of introducing a bill formally, but that will be part and parcel of the process. but can ijust be clear, because i think it's important we don't lose sight of this point, that all of this talk about legality and whether or not the uk government will challenge the scottish government in court misses a point. the people of scotland have voted for the snp on the strength of offering, when the time is right, an independence referendum. and as in 2011 leading up to 2014, any uk government that has any respect for scottish democracy would simply accept that and come to an agreement with the scottish government that put it beyond any legal doubt. however, michael gove has refused to be drawn on the question of holding a referendum issue. he said that the whole of the uk needed to focus for n

crucial amongst these are elections to the scottish parliament. ee, whole swathes of yellow there. those are the snp seats. they got 63 last time. they're aiming for 65 or more for a majority. which would then allow them, should they be able to, to aim for a second independence referendum. let's take a look at some of the seats that will be looking at that are fought over in the scottish parliament. here's a selection. and you can see from the end of that they are held at the moment by labour, tory, lib dem and snp. so, all the main parties in play here. as well as the constituencies in scotland, voters also vote for a second regional list. it's a form of proportional representation, whereby they return members of the scottish parliament for a wider region. there is a similar system that is in place in wales. let's take a look at wales, where voters are voting for members of the welsh parliament, the senedd. there are 60 seats up for grabs here. you can see how the map looked after the last election, down the spine of the country is the green, that

so majority for such a proposition in the scottish parliament.- the scottish parliament.first minute of -- l swinney, deputy first minute of —— deputy first minister of scotland. time for some sport and we have been speaking about the implications of the new rules on travel to international travel, and talking about holidays but it has implications for sport and the champions league final, mike? exactly right, good morning. where should be held now other turkeys on red list? chelsea and manchester city fans are going to lobby uefa to move it. chelsea and manchester city fans are calling for the champions league final to be played in england rather than turkey after the country was added to the uk government's red travel list and fans were told not to go to istanbul. uefa was planning to give each club at least 4,000 tickets for the game which is three weeks today, and there are no plans at the moment to move the venue. the clubs are just trying to stay focused on their preparations. lam i am pretty sure uefa will decide the best, you know, for everyone, for to go to insta

who had _ members of the scottish parliament who had been elected, and more diverse _ who had been electeds and communities in scotland. showing democracy— and communities in scotland. showing democracy in scotland is healthy. the other— democracy in scotland is healthy. the other thing that is critically important is an acknowledgement on the part— important is an acknowledgement on the part of— important is an acknowledgement on the part of all others as political leaders — the part of all others as political leaders whatever parties we come from _ leaders whatever parties we come from that— leaders whatever parties we come from that the priority at the moment is not _ from that the priority at the moment is not court — from that the priority at the moment is not court cases, it is not independence legislation, it is recovery— independence legislation, it is recovery from pandemic. to be fair to nicola _ recovery from pandemic. to be fair to nicola sturgeon, during the course — to nicola sturgeon, during the course of— to nicola sturgeon, during the course of this election campaign she s

crucial amongst these are elections to the scottish parliament. to the parliament. as you can see, whole swathes of yellow there. those are the snp seats. they got 63 last time. they're aiming for 65 or more for a majority. which would then allow them, should they be able to, to aim for a second independence referendum. let's take a look at some of the seats that we'll be looking at that are fought over in the scottish parliament. here's a selection. and you can see from the end of that they are held at the moment by labour, tory, lib dem and snp. so, all the main parties in play here. as well as the constituencies in scotland, voters also vote for a second regional list. it's a form of proportional representation, whereby they return members of the scottish parliament for a wider region. there is a similar system that is in place in wales. let's take a look at wales, where voters are voting for members of the welsh parliament, the senedd. there are 60 seats up for grabs here. you can see how the map looked after the last election, down the spine

election we've had for the scottish parliament and if you look at the turnout devoted turnout since 999 be around 50 percent in the 2021 scottish com election is going to great great that we're talking 63 to 64 percent turnout so to scottish national party and see with the greens together the pro independence party. have the majority you know it's highly likely then they actually have legitimacy to the right time call for a referendum but of course they're going to get a lot of opposition because. polarize in scotland so the opposition parties are getting i think the referendum going down and in truth and of course the u.k. government is also data gains for independence as well but as far as legitimacy within scotland it does look as if the same pain with the greens now that she got a good share of a large turnout the scottish parliament elected far as i mentioned. of elections local national regional across the u.k. so very in scotland was independents the big issue that. well the big issues are getting over the pandemic and you can do the recovery from that and make creating jobs supp

election we've had for the scottish parliament and if you look at the turnout devoted turnout since $999.00 it's been around 50 percent in the 2021 scottish calm election is going to break breakups we're talking 63 to 64 percent turnout so to scottish nationalist party and see with the greens together the pro independence party. have the majority you know it's highly likely then they actually have legitimacy to at the right time call for a referendum but of course they're going to get a lot of opposition because. it's quite polarized and scotland's the opposition party to get it i think the referendum going down independent truett and of course the u.k. government is also data gains for independence as well but as far as legitimacy within scotland it does look as if the same pain with the greens or that she got a good share of a large turnout to scottish parliament elected 1000 mentioned. elections local national regional across the u.k. so very in scotland was independents the big issue that. well the big issues are getting over the pandemic the recovery from that and demi creating jobs su

eventually, though, she does plan to pass legislation through the scottish parliament to authorise anotherstop that from happening, they may have to challenge in court whether the scottish parliament has the legal authority to authorise that referendum. the uk minister charged with keeping the kingdom united is in scotland, swerving questions on a legal challenge to any referendum. the priority at the moment is not court cases, it's not independence legislation, it is recovery from the pandemic. and to be fair to the first minister, to be fair to nicola sturgeon, during the course of this election campaign, she said that was the single most important thing that we should all be concentrating on. and we should work together as team uk in order to deal with the pandemic. is scotland allowed to leave the uk? of course it is. it is? how? well, through a legal referendum which would allow people to make that choice. votes cast on thursday appear to show that voters in scotland are split roughly 50—50 on the question of independence. anyone eagerfor another referendum will find they have to be p

we really should be putting to the very top of the agenda in scottish politics and the next scottish parliamenter independence referendum. the pro—independence scottish greens increased their seats to eight and say the prime minister cannot ignore a result that's delivered a mandate for another referendum. i think the position of the uk government is actually verging on being dangerous here. they're saying to the people of scotland there is no democratic path to allow them to make the decision about their own future and relying instead merely on legal technicalities, rather than on any form of political legitimacy. but borisjohnson has made his position clear, telling the daily telegraph, "i think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless." we could be looking at a constitutional stand—off between edinburgh and london, so what might happen next? if westminster refuses to grant the authority for another independence vote, then the snp plan to legislate for one at holyrood anyway and dare the prime minister to take them to court, if he wants to establish that the scottish

i also want to take the opportunity to congratulate the new members of the scottish parliament who haveted, a more diverse group than ever before representing different traditions and communities in scotland. showing that democracy in scotland is healthy. the other thing that is critically important however is an acknowledgement on the part of all of us as political leaders, whatever parties we come from, that the priority at the moment is not court cases, it is not independence legislation, it is recovery from the pandemic. to be fair to nicola sturgeon, during the course of this election campaign she said that was the single most important thing that we should all be concentrating on, and we should work together as team uk in order to deal with the pandemic. can i ask a very straightforward philosophical question? yes. is scotland allowed to leave the uk? of course it is-_ through a legal referendum which would allow people to make that choice. the big debate is how you get that legal referendum. the scottish government under nicola sturgeon is going to argue that the political mandat

crucial amongst these are elections to the scottish parliament. hich would then allow them, should they be able to, to aim for a second independence referendum. let's take a look at some of the seats that we'll be looking at that are fought over in the scottish parliament. here's a selection. and you can see from the end of that they are held at the moment by labour, tory, lib dem and snp. so, all the main parties in play here. as well as the constituencies in scotland, voters also vote for a second regional list. it's a form of proportional representation, whereby they return members of the scottish parliament for a wider region. there is a similar system that is in place in wales. let's take a look at wales, where voters are voting for members of the welsh parliament, the senedd. there are 60 seats up for grabs here. you can see how the map looked after the last election, down the spine of the country is the green, that's plaid cymru. labour is strong in the south, and also up there in the north—east. and the conservatives are strong in the west

.— the scottish parliament.le they ma be the the scottish parliament. while they may be the first, _ the scottish parliament. while they may be the first, they _ the scottish parliament. while they may be the first, they will- the scottish parliament. while they may be the first, they will not - the scottish parliament. while they may be the first, they will not be i may be the first, they will not be the last. �* . the last. and with a pro-independence l the last. and with a - pro-independence majority in the last. and with a _ pro-independence majority in that pro—independence majority in that parliament, nicholas dough —— nicola sturgeon zas was mr cannot stand anyway another referendum. all of anyway another referendum. all of this risks treating _ anyway another referendum. all of this risks treating voters _ anyway another referendum. all of this risks treating voters in - this risks treating voters in scotland and our entire democratic process as though they simply don't matter, like they are just a sides

in scotland, voters will elect a 129 members of the scottish parliament.. in england, 4006 and 50 council seats are up. there are also elections for the 39 police and crime commissioner is across england and wales, and a new mp for hartlepool. deposit will be open as usual until ten o'clock tonight. anyone self—isolating because of coronavirus can nominate someone else to cast their vote, and applications for an emergency proxy can be made untilfive p.m.. if you have a completed postal vote which did not make it to the post box, you get handed in at your local polling station until ten p.m.. when it comes to counting results, that will take longer than usual as well. different accounts are taking place over several days, from tonight, until monday. helen catt, bbc news. and we will have full coverage of super thursday for you right here on bbc news throughout. now to an extremely rare pregnanc and a possible world record. a 25—year—old woman from mali has given birth to nine babies at once. two more than she expected. the babies were born premature and wei

although she does plan to pass legislation through the scottish parliament to authorise another votengdom united, is in scotland are swerving questions on a legal challenge to any referendum.— on a legal challenge to any referendum. , ., , ., referendum. the priority at the moment is _ referendum. the priority at the moment is not _ referendum. the priority at the moment is not court _ referendum. the priority at the moment is not court cases, - referendum. the priority at the moment is not court cases, it | referendum. the priority at the | moment is not court cases, it is referendum. the priority at the - moment is not court cases, it is not independence legislation, it is recovery from the pandemic. to be fair to the first minister, during the course of this election campaign she said it was the single most important thing that we should all be concentrating on. we should work together as a team uk in order to deal with the pandemic. i5 together as a team uk in order to deal with the pandemic. is scotland allowed to leave _ deal with the pandemic. is scotland allowed to leave the

imagine alex salmond — scottish parliament.dent lover nicola sturgeon. imagine those two together in an administration, ayesha. as si in an administration, ayesha. spicy as that in an administration, ayesha. is spicy as that might be, i don't think that's going to happen. i think that's going to happen. i think the really interesting thing is how unpopular alex hammond is in scotland. in fact this is how bad things are, chris. borisjohnson is more popular than alex salmond in scotland right now! so i don't think his party would do the damage that people thought. as i said before, i think the green party is really interesting to look at, the other thing that is going to be interesting is that rates for second place because scotland has a new leader of the labour party anas sarwar who has had a very good campaign and made a good personal impression so there is quite a race on now to see who is going to be the opposition party. that is interesting to watch. i opposition party. that is interesting to watch. opposition party. that i

to scotland now where program dependence parties have won a majority of seats in the scottish parliament 1st minister nicola sturgeon has already promised another a friend i'm on breaking away from the u.k. . we don't know the fatal tally of c. take note it looks as if it is beyond any date that there will be a true independence majority in that scottish parliament and by any normal standard of democracy that majority should have the commitments it needs to the people we spoke with foreigner still pretty waste mr politician who tries to stand in the rear of that i would see 2 things at firstly you're not picking a faith with the same people you are picking a fight with the democratic regime of the scottish people and secondly you will not succeed. the scottish national party won 64 of 129 seats just short of a majority the green zone which also supported independence referendum one seat scotland held independence referendum back in 24 teen 55 percent opted to stay in the united kingdom though judging by the latest election results former scottish 1st minister alex salmond thinks there is

in the scottish parliament pandemic recovery is the immediate priority after that the plan is for the scottish parliament to legislate for a referendum to take place within the next 5 years and it will be for the government in london in charge of u.k. constitutional affairs to agree negotiate or challenge it in the supreme court a spectacle that would risk inflaming separatist desires even further so right now polling suggests perhaps the slates and not support for independents in kind of 4849 percent and it's been 50 percent consistently over the last year but one thing that makes that would make this referendum different though is that there's not a whole lot of people who are undecided there's not a whole lot of people who haven't made their mind up on independence so you would have to change their minds rather than rather than enlighten people or bring people together so you would have to have to change their entrenched positions which might lead one to. prime minister boris johnson has consistently ruled out a 2nd referendum the 1st in 2014 was lost by a 10 point margin something