The creation of a new pro-independence party in Scotland could weaken the Scots’ push for independence by exposing growing fissures within secessionist camps regarding referendum strategies. In recent days, several members of Scotland's governing Scottish National Party (SNP) have left the party to work on creating a new pro-independence group, the Alliance for Independence (AFI). Scotland must hold a parliamentary election by May 2021, which suggests that the new party wants enough time to prepare for it. The United Kingdom, however, will not authorize an independence referendum, which could lead the AFI to defend unilateral measures as it seeks to differentiate itself from the SNP's milder positions. This would increase political volatility in the United Kingdom at a time when the country is adapting to Brexit and coping with the COVID-19 crisis....
