On 18 September 2014, the Scottish people voted whether to leave the United Kingdom. The results: 44.7% for Yes to 55.3% for No.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has fired the starting pistol on a new vote. On Wednesday, she announced a new referendum will be held on 23 October 2023.

She has written to British prime minister Boris Johnson requesting a vote. He is extremely unlikely to grant her request.

But Sturgeon has a Plan B: to ask the UK Supreme Court to let her run a vote without Johnson's permission. And she has a Plan C: to treat the next election as a de factoSomething that happens in practice, in contrast to that which happens de jure, or according to the law. referendum. If her Scottish National PartyA political party founded in 1934 that wishes to ultimately make Scotland independent. It is the largest party in Scotland. wins, Scotland will leave.

Sturgeon's opponents have been quick to claim it is too soon for another vote. "The people were assured then that it was a once in a generation consultation," Johnson declared. "I see no reason now for the politicians to go back on that promise."

Many argue Sturgeon has chosen the worst possible moment to act. Britain is facing rising inflation, a new Covid-19 wave, the economic shocks of Brexit and a climate crisis. A referendum might distract from these issues. Sturgeon plans to spend £20m on the vote, which could be used to more directly benefit the Scottish people.

Others caution against holding a yes/no referendum on a complicated issue. The Brexit referendum was followed by years of division.

Before leaving the UK, Scotland should make a long-term plan to renegotiate its relationship. As The Guardian writes: "Sovereignists might be better off thinking how relationships might change over time, rather than how they end entirely."

Sturgeon and her supporters believe all countries have the right to self-determinationThe right of a people to choose their political status without interference from others.. Even those who oppose Scottish independence should support its right to be independent. As former prime minister Margaret Thatcher wrote: "Should [the Scottish] determine on independence no English party or politician would stand in their way."

Nine years is a long time in politics. Scotland seems increasingly at odds with the UK. Britain voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48%. In Scotland, the vote was split 38% to 62%.

In the last election, Scotland rejected the Conservatives that govern Britain. Currently only 10.2% of Scottish MPs are Conservatives. Johnson has a -71 approval rating in Scotland.

Yes: Democracies are meant to represent the views of the people. Referendums are the fairest way of doing this, giving everyone a say in the future of their country. If anything, we should have more of them.

No: Heed the warning from the Brexit referendum. That vote spawned enormous anger and disagreement. The separation of Scotland after 315 years would be far more dramatic - and lead to even more conflict.

Or... The UK government will not allow the poll. The verdict of the Supreme Court is up in the air. Sturgeon cannot proceed without breaking the law. The real question is not should, but can a vote be held.