Scottish Greens co leader Gillian Mackay has called on Westminster to respect Scotland’s right to determine its constitutional future following publication of the Scottish Government’s draft Independence Referendum Bill.

Her intervention comes after John Swinney published proposed legislation setting out the question and franchise for another referendum, although Holyrood cannot proceed without securing the necessary powers.

The Scottish Greens argue that the result of May’s Scottish Parliament election demonstrated continuing democratic support for giving people another vote on independence.

Mackay also challenged Prime Minister Andy Burnham over his approach to constitutional reform, arguing that his promise of a different style of government will be tested by Westminster’s response.

Scottish Greens co leader Gillian Mackay said:

“Scotland can have a fairer, greener and better future as a normal independent country.

“There is a growing demand for it, the people of Scotland made that clear when they voted the largest group of pro-Independence MSPs only four months ago.

“It is an anti-democratic outrage that the Tories and Labour have lined-up to cast a veto against our parliament.

“Any union of countries should have clear mechanisms through which members can leave, but Labour has refused to even spell-out what it thinks would be legitimate.

“Scotland can do so much better than a broken Westminster system, a Tory Brexit that has cost us jobs and raised prices, and a so-called Labour government that armed Israel’s genocide against the people of Palestine.

“Andy Burnham promised a new approach to politics and an end to a broken and centralised Westminster system, and this will be a major test of that commitment.

“Any attempt to halt our right to choose our own future will not only show contempt for our parliament but also for our democracy.

“Scotland is not a region, it is a country.

“Our future must be decided by the people who live here, not by Westminster.”