Nicola Sturgeon pledges to second Scottish Independence Referendum
Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to have another vote on Scottish Independence.
Speaking at Georgetown University in Washington DC, the First Minister promised to announce her plans of a possible referendum within the next few weeks once the Brexit terms have been outlined more fully.
The SNP leader claimed that another Indy Ref might be necessary as she warned the UK is “not remotely prepared to leave the EU” in 52 days’ time. She said: “The UK Government should ask the EU to agree to put back the planned date for Brexit.”
It was suggested that if it is impossible to delay the Brexit date or come up with an “achievable plan”, a further EU referendum would be a “better option”.
Ms. Sturgeon suggested that the Scottish people have been deceived. She say they were led to believe that if Scotland had chosen independence in the initial referendum, the country would have been forced to leave the European Union. However, Scotland will now have to leave the EU regardless despite the majority voting to remain.
The Scottish leader said: “That fundamental point – that no Scottish parliament, of any political composition, would approach Brexit in the way that the UK Government has – helps to explain why Brexit is also relevant to the debate on Scottish independence.
“That in itself raises the question of whether decisions about Scotland should continue to be taken at Westminster – or whether it would be better if they were taken in Scotland.
“And now the ongoing chaos at Westminster and the way Scotland’s interests have been consistently ignored, makes that question even more relevant.
She added: “Amid the chaos, confusion and uncertainty of Brexit, one thing is clearer than ever.
“Namely, that Scotland’s vital national interests are not properly served by relying on the Westminster system which treats Scotland as an afterthought, and that those interests can only properly be served by being an independent country.”
Ms. Sturgeon also warned of the “very real risk” that Scotland’s working population will be affected after UK leaves the EU leading to “severe economic and social consequences.”
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “Nicola Sturgeon needs to stop using Brexit as an excuse to pursue her unwanted independence agenda.
“Rather than constantly seeking division and constitutional upheaval, she needs to work with the UK Government to avoid a damaging no-deal. That is what people and business in Scotland expect.”
By Selena Drake
