Babak Belurs

Selasa, 04 Mei 2021

Scottish election 2021: Sturgeon rules out 'wildcat' indyref2 vote - BBC News

Nicola Sturgeon has denied that she could hold a wildcat referendum on independence if the SNP wins a majority in Thursday's Holyrood election.

Ms Sturgeon was speaking as she came under attack from Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross in a televised BBC Scotland leaders' debate.

Mr Ross claimed that the SNP would hold an "illegal" referendum if the prime minister refused to give formal consent.

But Ms Sturgeon replied: "No we won't."

The SNP leader accused Mr Ross of spreading "smears and untruths" about her position.

Five takeaways from final Holyrood election debate

SIGN UP FOR SCOTLAND ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage

She added: "What I have said consistently all along - sometimes to criticism from people on my own side of the argument - is that I would not countenance an illegal referendum, not least because it would not deliver independence.

"I want Scotland in the fullness of time and in due course to become an independent country.

"I will be responsible about that and I will build, and ultimately I think win, the case for independence through patient persuasion of people across the country."

SCOTLAND'S ELECTION: THE BASICS

What's happening? On 6 May, people across Scotland will vote to elect 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The party that wins the most seats will form the government. Find out more here.

What powers do they have? MSPs pass laws on aspects of life in Scotland such as health, education and transport - and have some powers over tax and welfare benefits.

The referendum in 2014 - which saw voters in Scotland reject independence by 55% to 45% - was formally approved by the UK government, with both it and the Scottish government pledging to respect the result.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far refused to grant the same consent for another vote on the issue, arguing that the 2014 referendum had settled the question for a generation.

And some within the independence movement - including former SNP leader and first minister Alex Salmond, who now leads the Alba Party - have called on Ms Sturgeon to set out an alternative path to independence if the PM's stance does not change.

And there have been suggestions that a referendum could be held without the UK government's approval - similar to the disputed vote in Catalonia in 2017.

The SNP manifesto says it wants to hold a referendum after the pandemic ends - with Ms Sturgeon not ruling out going to court to settle the question of whether Holyrood could legislate for a legal referendum without Westminster's backing.

But Mr Ross claimed: "Nicola Sturgeon has been clear. If she gets a majority, she'll take her eye off the ball for Scotland's recovery, for rebuilding the country from the pandemic, and seek to hold another independence referendum.

"She will ask for a Section 30 order - which the prime minister has said is absolutely the wrong thing to do right now in the middle of this global pandemic - and seek to divide the country all over again."

He said that, when the prime minister refused her request, Ms Sturgeon would "go ahead with an illegal wildcat referendum" - pointing to previous comments made by SNP MP Richard Thomson, who said the Scottish government would "simply go ahead with a referendum" if formal consent is refused.

What are the parties promising you?

Use our concise manifesto guide to compare where the parties stand on key issues like Covid-19, independence and the environment.

Scotland election manifesto guide

The televised debate also featured the leaders of the three other parties who are represented in the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Mr Ross was the "gift that keeps on giving" for the SNP and claimed he was "only interested in saving his skin, not saving the union".

And he said it was "not credible" for Ms Sturgeon to lead the country through the recovery from the pandemic, while also leading a referendum campaign.

Mr Sarwar added: "I do not support a referendum, I don't support independence and I want people to choose something different.

"I want them to choose us to focus on a national recovery in the next parliament."

A modern browser with JavaScript and a stable internet connection is required to view this interactive. More information about these elections

Note: This lookup covers national elections in Scotland and Wales, the Hartlepool by-election, as well as council and mayoral elections in England and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections in England and Wales. There may be parish council elections or council by-elections where you are. Check your local council website for full details. Last updated: April 29, 2021, 14:06 GMT

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said people would be "bemused" that party leaders were debating independence in the wake of one of deepest pandemics the country has ever faced.

Mr Rennie said: "The people who are waiting an age for mental health treatment I think deserve better than this, the people who are desperate for a job deserve better than this."

And he later added: "Despite the fact that it has been the policy of the SNP for generations, they still don't know what the currency would be" in an independent Scotland.

But Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the possibility of an independent Scotland would allow the country to shape a more radical future.

He added: "I don't think we can afford to pass up the opportunity to shape our own recovery. This is a moment of incredible opportunity to decide what kind of country is going to emerge from Covid."

But Mr Harvie and Ms Sturgeon disagreed over what currency an independent Scotland should use - with the Greens co-leader saying plans for a separate Scottish currency should begin "immediately" after a vote for independence.

But Ms Sturgeon said Scotland would continue to use the pound "for as long as necessary" after independence.

The debate also saw the five party leaders face questions on topics including the possible easing of foreign travel restrictions, the future of the social care sector, taxation and plans for a new £200m Royal Yacht.

BASICS: A really simple guide to the election
POLICIES: Who should I vote for?
CANDIDATES: Who can I vote for in my area?
RULES: How the BBC reports polling day
VOTE: Why the results might take some time
PODLITICAL: Updates from the campaign

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2021-05-04 21:17:41Z
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Julia James: Candles lit in memory of murdered PCSO - as police warn public to be 'very careful' - Sky News

Colleagues of murdered PCSO Julia James have warned the public to be "very safe and very careful" as candles were lit in her memory.

Officers from Kent Police have admitted they are "in deep shock" as the murder probe into her death enters its second week.

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said the force would do "all we can" to bring her killer to justice, but warned the community to be "very safe and very careful".

No arrests have been made in connection with the killing as police consider "all possible" motives to ther death which happened near Dover in Kent.

Ms James was murdered while out walking her dog in Akholt Wood, close to her home in the village of Snowdown. She had suffered serious head wounds.

And on Tuesday - a week to the day her body was discovered - mourners, including Ms James' daughter Bethan Coles, left lit candles on their doorsteps in tribute to the "fiercely loyal" 53-year-old.

In a Facebook post, Ms Coles said: "A number of people have asked about holding a vigil for Mum, and whilst I am so grateful for people wanting to remember her, I am very conscious that any gathering would need to be policed (if it was even allowed).

"I've discussed this with my family and we are in agreement that we would prefer all police resources to be concentrating on the investigation as there is so much work to be done."

Instead she suggested people wishing to remember her mother should light a candle for her and leave it on their doorstep.

She added: "This would be a beautiful nod to Mum in a way that doesn't intrude on the police investigation."

Speaking to ITV after visiting flowers left in her memory, the chief constable vowed to find Ms James' killer.

He said: "You can imagine that the force are in deep shock with regard to what's happened to Julia.

"We will do all we can to find out whoever did this to bring them to justice."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to her in a tweet.

He said: "Tonight we remember PCSO Julia James. My thoughts are with her friends and family."

Police in Dover have urged members of the public to be "cautious, vigilant and aware of your surroundings" while out and about.

At a press conference on Friday, Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards declined to rule out that Ms James was killed by a stranger, someone she came across during her work, someone trying to steal her dog, or as part of a sexual assault.

Mr Richards would not comment on any potential murder weapon and also declined to say whether detectives had found signs of a struggle.

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2021-05-04 19:57:27Z
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COVID-19: British holidaymakers could be allowed to travel to Europe within weeks - Sky News

Ministers are reportedly considering a handful of countries people from the UK will be able to travel to initially in the coming weeks.

Reports suggested the list could include about a dozen countries, although some newspapers have suggested it could be fewer than 10.

Several named Malta, Gibraltar, Portugal and Israel as likely destinations to be open to Britons, while the Daily Telegraph said Spain, Greece and France could be added by the end of June.

Live COVID updates amid summer holiday reports

The Times put the Seychelles on its list, while the Daily Telegraph also included Iceland.

The European Commission is proposing "to allow entry to the EU for non-essential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation, but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorised vaccine".

It did not say which countries would be on its list, but one unnamed official said the UK remains a "question mark".

The UK government's "green list" of countries to which people can travel without having to isolate for 14 days on their return is expected to be released this week, although it is understood details are still being finalised.

Boris Johnson has said the approach to foreign travel will be sensible and cautious to avoid "an influx of disease".

The prime minister said there would be "some opening up" on 17 May, the next milestone in easing restrictions, but that things must be done in a way "to make sure that we don't see the virus coming back in" to the UK.

Trade Secretary Liz Truss urged holidaymakers to wait for government announcements before booking.

Asked if travel would resume from 17 May, she told Sky News: "We are doing all we can to make sure we follow the roadmap and open up the economy and travel gradually.

"The really important thing is we don't move too fast and jeopardise the progress we have made - so people will have to wait a bit longer to be able to hear the news on what is happening on the travel front."

She said she would encourage people to wait before booking a holiday so they can see what the "details are based on the data".

The government fully supports safe travel but "we need to be cautious to make sure that we are not simply importing the virus after we have successfully dealt with it in Britain", Ms Truss said.

She added: "If we are able to have people go on holiday, I don't see any reason provided it is safe."

Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, who advises the government, said he was optimistic of something "a lot more normal" this summer.

However, he warned countries with high infection rates remained a travel risk and that COVID variants still had potential to cause a "major" third wave.

"I think if for instance, by the summer, infection levels in France and Italy are the same sort of level as they are here, then there's no risk associated with travelling overseas," he told the BBC's Today Programme.

"The risk comes from going from a place like the UK with very low infection levels and going to a place with much higher infection levels and therefore having the risk of bringing infection back.

"If the two places are at comparable levels, and that's what the EU is saying, then there is no particular risks associated with travel."

Prof Ferguson said variants such as the one first detected in South Africa - which are believed to be more resistant to vaccines - were a "major concern" that could still spark a "very major third wave in the autumn".

He said it was essential to get booster doses, designed to combat these variants, rolled out once the main vaccination programmes ends in the summer.

Those in the top four priority groups should hopefully begin getting the extra shots from September, according to the government.

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2021-05-04 10:28:16Z
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Senin, 03 Mei 2021

The Queen says 'reconciliation' in Northern Ireland 'cannot be taken for granted' in message to mark country's centenary - Sky News

The Queen has said that "reconciliation, equality and mutual understanding" in Northern Ireland "cannot be taken for granted", in a message released to mark what many consider to be the country's centenary.

She said "continued peace" in Northern Ireland "is a credit to its people, upon whose shoulders the future rests".

Her Majesty said the 100th anniversary of the Government of Ireland Act coming into effect was a "significant centenary" and one that "reminds us of our complex history, and provides an opportunity to reflect on our togetherness and our diversity".

"The political progress in Northern Ireland and the peace process is rightly credited to a generation of leaders who had the vision and courage to put reconciliation before division," the Queen said in her message.

"But above all, the continued peace is a credit to its people, upon whose shoulders the future rests.

"It is clear that reconciliation, equality and mutual understanding cannot be taken for granted, and will require sustained fortitude and commitment.

"During my many visits to Northern Ireland, I have seen these qualities in abundance, and look forward to seeing them again on future occasions."

The monarch said she looked back with "fondness" on her visit to Ireland with Prince Philip 10 years ago, adding: "I treasure my many memories, and the spirit of goodwill I saw at first hand.

"Across generations, the people of Northern Ireland are choosing to build an inclusive, prosperous, and hopeful society, strengthened by the gains of the peace process. May this be our guiding thread in the coming years."

In his own message to mark the milestone, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "People from all parts of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and across the globe, will approach this anniversary in different ways, with differing perspectives.

"While this is a moment of shared reflection, it is also an important opportunity to come together to celebrate Northern Ireland and build towards a better and even brighter future for all its people."

The PM added that the UK government would keep on showcasing "all the brilliant things" that Northern Ireland contributes to the rest of the UK.

Northern Ireland was created on this day 100 years ago when the Government of Ireland Act came into effect and the island of Ireland was partitioned.

The 32 counties of Ireland were split into two - with Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone forming Northern Ireland and the rest making up what would soon become the Irish Free State and much later the Republic.

But there are differing opinions on when exactly Northern Ireland was created, with some pointing to other points in history for the country's foundation.

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2021-05-03 08:10:16Z
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Minggu, 02 Mei 2021

Labour election crisis: Poll guru Curtice predicts Starmer will do even WORSE than Corbyn - Daily Express

Sir John Curtice has warned Sir Keir Starmer that he is in for a tough night on Thursday as Britons take to the polls. The leading British polling guru spoke with George Galloway on his Mother of All Talk Shows this evening. He warned that Sir Keir will likely do worse than Jeremy Corbyn in a humiliating night for Labour.

After the bombshell prediction, Mr Galloway followed up: "What you are saying is that Keir Starmer might do more poorly than the much-maligned Jeremy Corbyn last time out?"

Sir John responded: "Yes, it seems so.

"It seems to have been a risk for some time now that Sir Keir would end up doing less well in his first round of local elections than Jeremy Corbyn did in his first round in 2016."

The professor of politics at Strathclyde University said that Labour had been falling behind the Conservatives "for some time, throughout the winter and early spring" due to the successful vaccine roll-out.

JUST IN: John Bercow launches bitter attack on 'disrespectful' Boris Johnson

He continued: "Last week, the Labour Party were a very long way behind in the polls - on average about eight points."

Mr Galloway questioned whether council seats will "begin to topple to Sir Keir Starmer's Labour?"

Sir John said: "They won't topple a great deal because we have to remember that half of the seats that are being contested on Thursday were last fought over in 2016.

"At that time, under Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party were just a little bit behind the Conservatives but no more.

He explained: "The Conservatives will undoubtedly make further progress in the so-called Red Wall areas.

"But Labour will do well in Remain areas, particularly in London where Sadiq Khan is getting a walkover".

The elections are the first since the pandemic began and represent the first electoral test for Keir Starmer since he became Labour leader.

When he became leader last year Sir Keir promised to rebuild the party after its disastrous 2019 general election loss.

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2021-05-02 20:38:00Z
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Nazanin Zaghari - Ratcliffe: UK downplays reports of Nazanin's release - Sky News

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2021-05-02 19:52:05Z
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Pro-Scottish independence and unionists rally in Glasgow ahead of election - The Telegraph

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2021-05-02 08:36:37Z
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Selasa, 04 Mei 2021

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