UK Supreme Court Rules Scotland Cannot Hold 2nd Independence Referendum

The Scottish Saltire (L) and the Union Flag flutter above Stirling Castle in the historic town of Stirling, central Scotland, on Aug. 7, 2019. Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate for a second independence referendum without consent from the UK government.

In the first independence referendum held in 2014, the Scottish electorate voted 55–45 percent to reject independence and remain part of the UK.