‘All home nations must back EU exit’ Sturgeon claims as she takes up role as SNP head

Nicola Sturgeon, who will succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and Scottish first minister, said it now seemed “inevitable” that there would be a vote on whether the UK remains part of the EU in 2017.

Proposals for an in/out referendum on the UK’s future membership have been put forward by the Conservatives, with David Cameron committed to having such a ballot in 2017.

But Ms Sturgeon believes for any vote to leave the EU to be valid, a majority of voters in each of the four nations of the UK - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - must give their backing.

She said this would mean that voices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not “drowned out” by anti-European sentiments in England.

The current Scottish deputy first minister will highlight the issue as she embarks on a series of rallies setting out how she intends to lead the country when she becomes first minister next month.

At an event in Edinburgh Ms Sturgeon, who is the only candidate to take over from Mr Salmond, will say when legislation for an EU referendum is introduced at Westminster, the SNP will table an amendment requiring a majority in all four home nations for withdrawal before this can happen.

Ms Sturgeon will state: “It is clear from recent by-elections in England that the anti-European politics of Ukip is on the rise. An in/out referendum on EU membership in 2017 now seems inevitable - almost regardless of who wins the general election next May.”

That means it is “entirely possible that the UK as a whole could vote to exit the EU, but that Scotland would vote to stay”, she will warn

Ms Sturgeon will make clear: “I don’t think the EU is perfect. Far from it. It badly needs change and reform. But I do believe - strongly - that our interests are best served by being in, not out, of the EU.”