A ruling by the British Supreme Court deals a heavy blow to Scottish nationalists' bid to take another step toward independence. The court has ruled that Scotlands government cannot hold a second referendum on whether to secede from the UK, without consent from London A ruling by the British Supreme Court deals a heavy blow to Scottish nationalists' bid to take another step toward independence. The court has ruled that Scotlands government cannot hold a second referendum on whether to secede from the UK, without consent from London.