In the global conversation around self-determination, Scotland’s latest move toward a new referendum framework may have big implications for movements like TEXIT. Key players on both sides of the Scottish independence debate are advocating for a structured approach to launching a second independence referendum, borrowing from the model used in Northern Ireland. While this may seem like a distant issue, it’s a development that carries important lessons for Texas and the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM) as we push for our own Texas Independence Referendum.

Scotland’s Blueprint for Independence

Kezia Dugdale, a former leader of Scottish Labour, and Stephen Noon, a leading strategist for Yes Scotland, have introduced a proposal that could transform how Scotland approaches its bid for independence. Released through Glasgow University’s Centre for Public Policy, their framework suggests that the Scottish Secretary would have a legal duty to authorize a referendum if clear evidence—such as polling data or election outcomes—shows majority public support. The goal is to set a legal threshold for when a referendum can be held, creating a system that’s less prone to political maneuvering and more aligned with the will of the people.

First Minister John Swinney has previously noted that any future referendum would only happen with “compelling and demonstrable” public backing. Dugdale and Noon’s proposal formalizes this thinking, offering a transparent, lawful route for the people of Scotland to voice their opinion. It’s a concept that Texans—and TNM members especially—should take note of as we continue our own fight for the right to choose independence.

TEXIT and the Scottish Parallels

For TNM, Scotland’s approach hits home. What the Scots are proposing is essentially what the Texas Nationalist Movement has been championing for years: the people should have the ultimate say in determining their future. Texas, like Scotland, finds itself at odds with a central government that too often ignores or undermines the will of its people. Just as Scotland is seeking a structured, democratic path to independence, TNM is working to establish the same for Texas.

A key takeaway from the Scottish proposal is the reliance on measurable public sentiment—polling and election results—as a basis for action. This aligns with TNM’s long-standing advocacy for the Texas Independence Referendum Act (TIRA), which aims to give Texans a similar pathway to a referendum. If a clear majority of Texans consistently support independence, then they deserve the right to vote on the matter.

Lessons for Texas

The legal structure Dugdale and Noon propose seeks to bypass political gridlock by setting straightforward guidelines for when a referendum should take place. This approach could offer a model for Texas, where Washington’s pushback has been a constant obstacle in our fight for self-determination.

Right now, the federal government controls when—and if—Texas could hold a referendum, much like Westminster’s grip over Scotland. In 2022, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that Scotland could not hold another independence vote without Westminster’s permission, a decision that mirrors the legal challenges Texans face today. Yet, despite these barriers, Scotland’s proposal shows there’s still a way forward within these constraints, a way that could inspire the legal and political strategies we pursue in Texas.

The Scottish mechanism calls for collaboration between Scotland and the UK, setting out agreed-upon criteria for holding a referendum. In Texas, we might have to face a similar reality—negotiating with a federal government that’s reluctant to relinquish control. But like Scotland, a pragmatic, law-based approach could be our best shot at securing a referendum in the near future.

Public Opinion: The Driving Force

At the heart of the Scottish proposal is the idea that public opinion should ultimately decide when a referendum happens. This is something TNM has been saying from day one. Polls in Texas consistently show that a significant—and growing—portion of the public supports a vote on independence. Now, we need to turn that public support into legislative action, ensuring Texans have the opportunity to make their voices heard.

The Scottish plan highlights that referendums should be triggered by clear and sustained public sentiment, demonstrated through consistent polling and election results. This is a principle we’ve embraced in our push for TEXIT. For years, TNM has been working to show that independence isn’t a fringe issue—it’s a mainstream movement grounded in the Texan spirit of self-reliance and freedom. As we continue to build momentum, it’s critical that this widespread support is conveyed to lawmakers in Austin.

The Right to Choose

At the end of the day, the debate in Scotland drives home a fundamental truth that resonates just as strongly in Texas: self-determination is a basic right. Whether in Scotland or Texas, people deserve the chance to decide their own future. Scotland’s new referendum proposal demonstrates that even when central governments resist, there are ways to create a clear and fair path forward for independence.

For TNM, the lesson is crystal clear. We need to keep pushing for the Texas Independence Referendum Act, which, like Scotland’s proposal, seeks to establish a transparent, democratic process for allowing Texans to decide their future. Texas deserves nothing less than the right to choose its own destiny, and like the Scots, we will continue to fight for that right.