It’s for the people, not politicians to decide their future
US senator Bernie Sanders has today said if the people of Scotland “want to go their own way, they should be allowed to.”
Recognising Scotland’s right to hold an independence referendum on Sky News’ Sophie Ridge on Sunday programme, Sanders said “I very much appreciate what the people of Scotland have done and what they’re fighting for…if they want to go their own way, they should be allowed to.”
The SNP has said these remarks highlight that “any true democrat can see it is for the people of Scotland, not politicians, to decide their future.”
Commenting SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop said:
“In the Scottish Parliament elections, the SNP won a historic landslide election victory with a manifesto commitment to give people across Scotland the chance to escape the disastrous consequences of Westminster control in an independence referendum.
“Any true democrat can see it is for the people of Scotland, not politicians, to decide their future – so Bernie Sanders’ support for Scots to have a say over their future comes as no surprise.
“The Tories and pro Brexit Labour are increasingly isolated in their disgraceful denial of democracy – even members and senior figures in their own parties recognise this.
“The right for Scotland to decide its own future is unquestionable and the need for independence has never been so essential – it is the only way to escape the hugely damaging consequences of Westminster control and build a better future for everyone.”
