Scotland to hold second independence poll in '˜bid to derail Brexit'

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she plans to trigger another independence referendum.
Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon

The move is seen by many as a tactic to “derail” Brexit, with Ms Sturgeon saying said the new vote should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

She has previously hinted that autumn 2018 would be a suitable time to call a referendum.

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Her ultimatum was delivered this morning with the apparent intention of influencing a Commons vote later in the day.

Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon

Speaking at Bute House in Edinburgh she said: “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.”

Since the UK vote to leave the European Union, Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly said a second independence referendum is “highly likely”.

Scots voted 62% to 38% to remain the EU while the UK as a whole voted to leave.

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Ms Sturgeon said: “The timing of the Brexit negotiations are not within the control of the Scottish Government. However, we must plan on the basis of what we do know now and what we know is that on the timetable set out by the Prime Minister, the shape of the Brexit deal will become clear in the autumn of next year ahead of ratification votes by other EU countries.

Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

“That is therefore the earliest point at which a referendum would be appropriate.”

Ms Sturgeon had called for Scotland to be given a “differentiated deal’’ which would see the country remain part of the European single market through membership of the European Economic Area, but said the UK Government has refused to compromise.

She said Theresa May and the UK Government had been given “every opportunity” to compromise but had “not moved even an inch”.

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The First Minister said appeals have been met with a “brick wall of intransigence”.

Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon

Next week, Ms Sturgeon is to ask the Scottish Parliament for permission to request a Section 30 order from Westminster - required to allow a referendum to be held.

She said she wanted a vote to be held between the autumn of 2018 and spring 2019, with the choice between “a hard Brexit” and independence which would “secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe”.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government’s mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt.

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“So next week I will seek the approval of the Scottish Parliament to open discussions with the UK Government on the details of a Section 30 order - the procedure that will enable the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.”

Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
Nicola Sturgeon said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

MPs are likely to overturn changes to the Brexit Bill made by peers when it returns to the Commons this afternoon.

Backing by the Lords when the legislation is sent to the upper chamber in the evening would allow the Prime Minister to fire the starting gun on exit talks as early as Tuesday.

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