Sturgeon made wearing masks in shops obligatory earlier than Boris Johnson’s government did. Her cautious strategy earned her huge praise from the public and it seems to have borne fruit. Only 18 new case were registered in Scotland on 18 July and for several consecutive days this month there were no deaths from COVID-19.
Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak has reinforced calls for Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom, The Guardian reported. The newspaper writes that Sturgeon’s strategy, in contrast with that of Boris Johnson’s government, is helping the cause of a second referendum. Holyrood has been pushing for total elimination of the disease, unlike England and other parts of the UK, where authorities tried to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Sturgeon, who turned 50 today, has been supported and praised by scientists, who said that if such progress continues Scotland will eradicate the disease by the end of the summer.
Sturgeon’s strategy also resulted in huge support from the public, with a new poll conducted by Panelbase this month showing that her party will enjoy a landslide victory during parliamentary elections next year. The same poll showed that 55 percent of those surveyed want Scotland to leave the United Kingdom and become an independent country.
Opponents of Sturgeon criticise her for political posturing and for her warning to close roads and the border with England in order to prevent new cases of the coronavirus appearing. Critics of the SNP leader also note that other small countries, like New Zealand, did a far better job in battling the disease.
The death rate from the coronavirus is indeed worse than in any other country in the world – 22 percent, but this is blamed on deaths in care homes. So far 18,422 have contracted the disease and only 4,122 have died from the virus in Scotland. Sturgeon’s supporters say small countries like New Zealand are independent states that do not depend on decisions coming from Downing Street.
As for the second referendum on Scotland’s independence, experts and politicians say it is a question of when, not if. Ian Blackford, SNP’s leader in Westminster said Edinburgh’s coronavirus strategy which differs from the government of Boris Johnson has nothing to do with the party’s push for independence.
“We are not doing this to strengthen the case for independence. But I think people are reflecting on the leadership that has been given. There is a reaction to that leadership that is perhaps creating more of a confidence in independence. I think that everything that is going on is probably strengthening the case”, said Ian Blackford.
In 2014, Scotland chose to remain part of the United Kingdom by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent. However, two years later Britain voted to withdraw from the European Union in a referendum, where Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the bloc. Sturgeon argues that since the circumstances have changed Edinburgh needs another referendum on independence from the UK. Last December, Sturgeon sent a letter to Boris Johnson requesting a second referendum, but the prime minister rejected the appeal.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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