- .Nicola Sturgeon said she will demand authority to hold a second referendum
- .Says UK is at an 'important crossroads' after the historic Brexit vote last year
- .Said an independence referendum should be held as early as Autumn 2018
- .UK government says it is the 'worst possible time' to hold another 'divisive' ballot
Nicola Sturgeon dramatically declared that she will call a fresh referendum on Scottish independence today as the PM prepares to fire the starting gun onBrexit.
In a speech at her official residence in Edinburgh, the First Minister said the UK stood at a 'hugely important crossroads' and Scotland must have a 'genuine choice' about its future.
Miss Sturgeon complained that she had been met by a 'brick wall of intransigence' from Mrs May when she demanded a special deal in the looming negotiations.
'The UK government has not moved even one inch in search of compromise and agreement,' she said.
In what amounts to a massive political gamble, Miss Sturgeon said she would now demand authority from the UK government to trigger a referendum as early as Autumn next year.
Downing Street condemned the idea of another 'divisive' ballot at the 'worst possible time' - but stopped short of saying it would be blocked.
Nicola Sturgeon said she would demand authority from the Westminster government to hold a fresh Scottish independence referendum
Ms Sturgeon said the UK government agreed in 2014 that a second referendum should be triggered by a material change in circumstances.
She said: ‘These conditions have of course now been met.
‘I can confirm that next week I will seek the authority of the Scottish Parliament to agree with the UK Government the details of a section 30 order – the procedure that will enable the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.
‘The UK government was clear in 2014 that an independence referendum should, in their words, be made in Scotland, by the people of Scotland.
‘That is a principle that should be respected today.’
Mrs May now faces a finely-balanced decision on whether to accede to Miss Sturgeon's demand and give legal permission for another referendum - or try to block it.
Nicola Sturgeon (pictured, left, at the dedication to the new Iraq and Afghanistan war memorial in London) plans to heap pressure on Theresa May (right)
UK ministers have been increasingly resigned to the idea that the SNP will call a second vote.
Although the Westminster government could technically prevent a binding poll being held, political realities would make it extremely difficult.
A No10 spokesman said: 'Only a little over two years ago people in Scotland voted decisively to remain part of our United Kingdom in a referendum which the Scottish Government defined as a ‘once in a generation’ vote.
'The evidence clearly shows that a majority of people in Scotland do not want a second independence referendum.
'Another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time.
'The Scottish Government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people in Scotland.'
Polls have shown the nationalists are far from certain to emerge victorious.
Recent surveys have suggested the result is on a knife edge, with some showing a 50-50 split.
The bombshell announcement comes with parliament on the verge of passing legislation allowing Mrs May to trigger Article 50.
The law could receive Royal Assent as early as tomorrow, freeing the PM to get the ball rolling.
The SNP leader has been furiously positioning for another bid at breaking up the union since the historic Brexit vote in June.
Previously the nationalists had signalled they would wait to see consistent lead for independence in the polls before calling a referendum.
The 2014 ballot, which delivered a 55-45 result in favour of staying in the UK, was meant to have settled the issue for a 'generation'.
BMG research for the Herald newspaper today - which was retweeted by Miss Sturgeon herself - showed 48 per cent for independence, with 52 per cent supporting the union.
But Miss Sturgeon said today: ‘In my view it is important that Scotland is able to exercise the right to choose our own future at a time when the options are clearer than they are now but before it is too late to decide our own path.
‘Let me be clear: the timing of the Brexit negotiations are not of course within the control of the Scottish Government.
‘However we must plan on the basis of what we do know now. What we know is on the timetable set out by the Prime Minister for the Brexit deal will become clear in the autumn of next year, ahead of ratification votes by other EU countries.
‘That is therefore the earliest point at which a referendum would be appropriate.
‘However, it is just as important we do not leave it too late to choose a different path in a timely way. If the UK leaves the EU without Scotland indicating beforehand, or at least in a short time afterward, that we want a different relationship with Europe we could face a lengthy period outside not just the EU but the single market.
‘These considerations lead me to the conclusion that if Scotland is to have a real choice, when the terms of Brexit are known but before it is too late to change course, that choice mist be offered between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019.'
Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon have held a series of talks about Brexit over the months since the UK voted to leave the EU
Miss Sturgeon tweeted this morning that she would be making an 'important speech' in advance of Article 50 being triggered
Miss Sturgeon has faced calls for restraint from critics in her own party.
Former Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has criticised her record in the day job of running education, health and other key areas.
He also launched a scathing attack on Miss Sturgeon's dominance of the SNP, pointing out the party 'has to be bigger than any individual member'.
Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars also said it is 'irresponsible' to push a second referendum and said it should not happen until at least 2020.
And former Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil called on Miss Sturgeon to 'spell out a strategy' before she triggers another independence campaign.
Jeremy Corbyn was accused of a 'gift' to the SNP over the weekend after he said that he was 'absolutely fine' with a fresh Scottish referendum being held.
The Labour leader's own MPs accused him of a 'special kind of idiocy' after the comments, which appeared to contradict official party policy.
He has since clarified that he does not support a referendum being held, but does not believe the Westminster government could block one.
Mr Corbyn told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'If the Scottish Parliament decided they wanted to have a referendum then it would be wrong for Westminster to block it.
'But let's be absolutely clear, I do not think there should be another referendum, I think that independence would be economically catastrophic for many people in Scotland, it would lead to a sort of turbo-charged austerity with the levels of income the government has in Scotland and because of the very low oil prices and the high dependency on oil tax income.'
Not my problem now: Former Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured, left) was a spectator at the England v Scotland rugby match at the weekend. He is now just a political observer as his successor battles the consequences of the Brexit referendum and demands for a new one over Scottish independence
No comments:
Post a Comment