At the the SNP conference in Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, announces that her government will publish a bill for a new independence referendum next week. This is a direct challenge to Theresa May’s hardline stance on leaving the EU
• Nicola Sturgeon challenges May with second referendum bill </s> EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - Scotland's parliament is set to vote on a call by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for a referendum on independence within two years.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will formally launch the U.K's two-year European exit process on Wednesday.

Sturgeon says Scots must be given the chance to vote on their future before Britain leaves the bloc. She says "Scotland's future should be in Scotland's hands."

Scottish Independence supporters drive past the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh ahead of the vote by Members of the Scottish Parliament to hold a second Scottish independence referendum Tuesday March 28, 2017. On Monday British Prime Minister Theresa May has met Scotland's leader Nicola Sturgeon for the first time since they faced off in a struggle over a new push for Scottish independence as the U.K. leaves the European Union. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

But May, whose government must approve a legally binding referendum, says the time is not right.Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson agreed, saying Scots do not want "the division and rancor of another referendum campaign."

The Scottish parliament is likely to back Sturgeon's referendum demand in a vote on Tuesday, but it's unclear what could break the stalemate between Edinburgh and London.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sit during their meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday March 27, 2017. May met with Scotland's leader Monday for the first time since they faced off in a struggle over a new push for Scottish independence as the U.K. leaves the European Union. (Russell Cheyne/ PA via AP) </s> Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she will ask for permission to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

The BBC reports Sturgeon says the timing of another vote will be the Scottish Parliament to decide, with Sturgeon’s preferred timing for the referendum to be between autumn in 2018 and spring 2019.

She plans to ask the Scottish Parliament next week for permission to request a section 30 order from Westminster, which would grant the power for a legally binding referendum.

Speaking in Edinburgh today, Sturgeon says Scotland is at a “hugely important crossroads”.

She says: “I will take the steps necessary now to make sure that Scotland will have a choice at the end of this process.

“A choice of whether to follow the UK to a hard Brexit, or to become an independent country able to secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe.”

Sturgeon adds: “The Scottish government’s mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt.

“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.”

In the EU referendum last year, Scotland voted 62 per cent in favour of remaining in the EU. In its original vote on independence in 2014, 55 per cent of Scottish voters opted against independence. </s> NICOLA STURGEON has announced a second referendum on Scottish independence.

She made the announcement during a speech at Bute House, while MPs in Westminster are preparing to give Theresa May the power to trigger Article 50 and begin the UK’s divorce from the EU.

It comes after the SNP struggled to find friends in Spain during a trip to garner support for Scotland gaining exclusive access to the EU single market last week.

In her speech Sturgeon said the UK Government had ‘not moved even an inch in pursuit of compromise and agreement’ with the Scottish Government over Brexit and that even a good deal would be ‘significantly inferior’ to the current system.

“If Scotland can be ignored on an issue as important as the EU and the single market then it is clear that our voice can be ignored at any time and on any issue,” she said.

Scotland’s first minister said the new referendum must be held between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019, when the terms of Brexit will be known.

She confirmed that she will apply for authorisation from the UK Government for the vote but added that they should respect the will of the Scottish Parliament.

“The option of no change is no longer available. But we will give the Scottish people a choice about the kind of change we want,” she said.

“I believe that it would be wrong for Scotland to be taken down a path that it has no control over regardless of the consequences for our economy, for our society, for our place in the world, for our very sense of who we are as a country. That would be wrong, and therefore my judgement is that we should have that choice.

 “I believe that in a referendum the Scottish people will opt for independence, but that will be the choice of the Scottish people and I’ve been very clear that that will be an informed choice.”

Scotland voted to stay in the EU by 62%.

The SNP promised a second vote in their manifesto if they were taken out of the EU ‘against our will’. </s> LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s leader has again warned that a second referendum on Scottish independence is likely if British leaders pursue a radical break with the European Union.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon closed the Scottish National Party conference in Glasgow on Saturday with a vow to take action to keep Scotland inside the EU’s enormous single market even if Britain leaves.

She said if the British government rejects those efforts and takes steps to hurt Scotland’s economy she would “make sure” that Scots get another chance to choose a better future.

The pro-independence Sturgeon had said Thursday that her government would shortly publish a bill laying the groundwork for a new independence referendum — the first step toward a new vote on whether Scotland should leave the U.K.

An earlier referendum in 2014 ended with Scottish voters opting to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Sturgeon says the UK that existed in 2014 will no longer be in existence if there is a so-called “hard Brexit” departure — one that severs economic ties to Europe’s markets and leads to a lowering of living standards and unemployment in Scotland.

She pointed out that Scottish voters had indicated a strong desire to remain in the EU in the June 23 referendum. They were joined in that view by residents of London and Northern Ireland, but a majority of British voters cast ballots in favor of leaving the 28-nation bloc.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will start the formal process to withdraw from the EU by March 31, 2017. The complex process is expected to take at least two years.

In another sign that Sturgeon is determined to place Scotland on its own path, she said she plans to open a Scottish “trade and innovation” hub in Berlin, the German capital, and to set up a trade envoy system to pursue Scottish business links. </s> Nicola Sturgeon is to publish a draft bill calling for a second Scottish independence referendum next week in a direct challenge to Theresa May’s hardline stance on leaving the EU.

The first minister told the Scottish National party conference in Glasgow she had a powerful political mandate to defend Scotland’s vote in favour of remaining in the EU in June’s referendum.

But the UK government’s recent rhetoric and policies on immigration and remaining within the EU single market made it clear the Tory party had now been taken over by its “rampant” and xenophobic right wing.

To applause, Sturgeon told the prime minister: “Hear this: if you think for one single second that I’m not serious about doing what it takes to protect Scotland’s interests, then think again.”

Sturgeon then won a standing ovation when she announced that the draft Scottish independence referendum bill would be published next week – earlier than her officials had previously signalled.

Speeding up the referendum bill process opens up a deepening and increasingly significant political divide between the Scottish and UK governments, showing Sturgeon’s increasing confidence that the Tories’ shift to a harder line on Brexit has strengthened her hand.

Sturgeon faces clear short-term obstacles to staging a second vote on leaving the UK. Scottish voters are still not convinced of the case for a fast second referendum and Holyrood requires Westminster’s legal authority to stage one.

The latest poll, published on Thursday by the Herald from BMG, found independence does not have a majority and that only 12% of voters would switch to back leaving the UK if there was a hard Brexit. It found 47% were against independence, 38% in favour and 12% undecided.

The economics of Scottish independence are still extremely difficult: the latest GDP data showed Scotland’s economy still growing at a third of the pace of the UK’s as a whole and government data showed a £15bn Scottish spending deficit last year – 21% of overall government spending in Scotland.

The SNP leader told delegates her first objective was to win far more power for the Scottish parliament – a proposal many senior SNP figures including the former health secretary Alex Neil now back.

Sturgeon made clear for the first time she would press May to strengthen Holyrood’s autonomy over policies currently overseen by the EU but devolved within the UK to Scotland, such as fisheries and agriculture.

But Sturgeon expanded that list of demands to include the right for Scotland to have special access to the single market, the freedom to have distinctive immigration policies, and the right to strike separate foreign deals, without specifying what those deals might be.

However, Sturgeon risks losing any goodwill with May’s government by also promising on Thursday to vote against the UK government’s bill to leave the EU – regardless of the powers on offer to Holyrood. That stance is likely to entrench opposition to increased powers for Scotland among UK cabinet ministers.

Sturgeon will meet May in late October at a joint ministerial committee meeting between the prime minister and leaders of the UK’s three devolved governments, where a formal deal on involving the devolved administrations will also be signed.

Signalling what would be on her agenda at that meeting, Sturgeon said: “Over the next few weeks we will table specific proposals to protect Scotland’s interests in Europe and keep us in the single market – even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.



“It’s clear that beyond hardline rhetoric the UK government has no detailed plan. So the Scottish government will set out a plan for Scotland. We will seek to make this plan a key element of the UK’s article 50 negotiation. 

 “It will require substantial additional powers for the Scottish parliament.” </s> Nicola Sturgeon has called for a second independence referendum to take place within two years.

The First Minister said Scotland was at a "crossroads" as the UK Government prepared to trigger Article 50.

The earliest time for a vote would be the autumn of 2018, and the latest in the spring of 2019, she said.

She said she would seek for a Section 30 order which would transfer power for the vote to the Scottish Parliament.

The First Minister indicated there was little chance of a compromise with the UK Government on the issue of Scotland having a special deal to stay in the European single market.

Theresa May could begin the formal process of leaving the EU as early as Tuesday, following a vote at Westminster.

The UK Government has said that "another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty."

Speaking at Bute House, First Minister said: "Scotland stands at a hugely important crossroads.

"On the eve of Article 50 being triggered, not only is there no UK wide agreement on the way ahead - the UK Government has not moved even an inch in pursuit of compromise and agreement.

"All of our efforts at compromise have been met with a brick wall of intransigence.

"UK membership of the single market was ruled out with no prior consultation with the Scottish Government or with the other devolved administrations, leaving us facing not just Brexit, but a hard Brexit.

"And far from any prospect of significant new powers for the Scottish Parliament, the UK Government is becoming ever more assertive in its intention to muscle in on the powers we already have. The language of partnership has gone, completely."

She added: "The Scottish Government's mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt. 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.

"The UK Government was clear in 2014 that an independence referendum should be, in their words, 'made in Scotland, by the people of Scotland' - that is a principle that should be respected today.

"The detailed arrangements for a referendum - including its timing - should be for the Scottish Parliament to decide."

She stressed there should be "clarity" about the implications of independence.

She continued: "If I ruled out a referendum, I would be deciding - completely unilaterally - that Scotland will follow the UK to a hard Brexit come-what-may, no matter how damaging to our economy and our society it turns out to be."

Immediately following the Brexit vote last June, the First Minister said a second independence referendum was "highly likely."

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

In the independence referendum in 2014, the vote was 55% to 45% in favour of staying in the UK.

The Scottish Parliament does not hold the power to organise an independence referendum and must gain permission from the UK Government to hold one through a legal instrument called a section 30 order.

The UK Government and several Scottish opposition parties have said there should not be a second vote on the issue.

A UK Government spokesman said: "As the Prime Minister has set out, the UK Government seeks a future partnership with the EU that works for the whole of the United Kingdom. The UK Government will negotiate that agreement, but we will do so taking into account the interests of all of the nations of the UK.

"We have been working closely with all the devolved administrations - listening to their proposals, and recognising the many areas of common ground, including workers' rights, the status of EU citizens living in the UK and our security from crime and terrorism.

"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."

Responding to the First Minister's speech, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said "Scotland is already divided enough."

She said: "We do not want to be divided again, but that is exactly what another independence referendum would do.

"Two years ago, 85 per cent of Scotland's voters took part in the independence referendum and the result was a clear vote to remain in the UK.

"With our country facing all of the uncertainty around the Tories' reckless plans for a hard Brexit, the last thing we need is even more uncertainty and division.

"A clear majority of the people of Scotland voted to reject the SNP's false hope and lies, and backed working together with the other nations of the UK.

"The reality is that leaving the UK would mean turbo-charged austerity for Scotland, putting the future of our schools and hospitals at risk."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said her party would oppose the move for a Section 30 order in the Scottish Parliament.

She tweeted: "Nicola Sturgeon has today chosen the path of further division and uncertainty."

Last week a poll for STV News found Scots certain to vote in another independence referendum were split 50/50 on the issue.

A poll published in the Herald newspaper on Monday suggested the split was 52% in favour of staying in the UK and 48% for leaving.

The BMG research found 56% were against the idea of holding an independence vote before the Brexit negotiations are finished.

Download: The STV News app is Scotland's favourite and is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from Google Play. Download it today and continue to enjoy STV News wherever you are. </s> Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she plans to trigger another independence referendum.

Ms Sturgeon said the vote could be held in autumn 2018 at the earliest.

During a speech at Bute House, Ms Sturgeon said: “We face a future, not just outside the European Union, but also outside the world’s biggest single market.

“The UK Government is becoming ever more assertive... the language of partnership has gone.

“The Prime Minister and her government have been given every opportunity to compromise.

“I cannot pretend to the Scottish people that a compromise agreement looks likely.

“I will take the steps necessary to make sure Scotland has a choice.

“What Scotland deserves... in light of Brexit, is the chance to choose our future. The option of ‘no change’ is no longer available.”

The First Minister suggested that a second vote on Scotland’s constitutional future ‘could happen between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019’.”

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

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.

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.

“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”.

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

Patrick Harvie MSP, co-convener of the Scottish Greens, welcomed confirmation from the First Minister that she is seeking a Section 30 Order.

Patrick, who sits on Holyrood’s Finance & Constitution Committee, said:

“The Greens welcome the Scottish Parliament’s consent being sought for a Section 30 order on an independence referendum and we will support it. Scotland’s votes and our voice have been ignored by a Tory government at Westminster which we did not vote for and a feeble Labour opposition. The people of Scotland deserve a choice between Hard Brexit Britain and putting our own future in our own hands.

“Theresa May’s isolationist Brexit will cause huge damage to Scotland’s economy and public services, to our health service, schools and universities. It will isolate us from the world. Those who care about fairness in society are horrified by the kind of Brexit Britain tax-haven the Tories are planning. The Greens will campaign for a progressive, internationalist, independent Scotland.”

The UK Government has said a second Scottish independence referendum would cause “huge economic uncertainty”, but has not ruled out granting permission for one to take place.

Responding to Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that she would seek the power to hold a second referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, Downing Street described any new poll before Brexit is concluded as taking place “at the worst possible time”.

The UK Government must grant a Section 30 order under the terms of the Scotland Act, which would need to be agreed by parliamentarians at Westminster.

A government spokesman said: “As the Prime Minister has set out, the UK Government seeks a future partnership with the EU that works for the whole of the United Kingdom.

“The UK Government will negotiate that agreement, but we will do so taking into account the interests of all of the nations of the UK.

“We have been working closely with all the devolved administrations - listening to their proposals, and recognising the many areas of common ground, including workers’ rights, the status of EU citizens living in the UK and our security from crime and terrorism.

“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.” </s> The First Minister announced on Monday that she wants to give the Scottish people a decision about its own future. The former Ukip leader criticised Ms Sturgeon for not wanting independence but instead wanted to join the Eurozone, which he predicted would be rejected by Scottish voters. Speaking on Sky News, he said: “If Nicola Sturgeon was honest and wanted to leave the EU and to leave the UK and to have an independent Scotland I would respect that position. “I wouldn’t agree with it, but I would respect that position.

“She doesn’t she wants to sign up lock stock and barrel to Brussels, she wants to sign a treaty, that will commit Scotland to joining the Euro. “I think when the Scottish people actually look at this in the cold light of day, it will be massively rejected.” The Euro is the official currency of 19 EU countries of the 28 member states, however the currency has been in trouble since the end of 2009, with both Spain and Greece struggling with large government debts. The Scottish First Minister criticised Theresa May’s Brexit approach which will see Britain leave the single market.

Speaking during her referendum announcement, she said: “Our plan to protect Scotland’s interests. Right now Scotland stands at a hugely important crossroads. “We did not choose to be in this position and I wish that we were not in this position but we are and the stakes are high. We must have a plan for the way forward.” The 52-year-old MEP blasted Ms Sturgeon for her proposed independence referendum, which he suggested was based on dishonesty. He said: “The United Kingdom voted for independence. Independence from the European Union, so we could make our own laws and control our borders.

“What Nicola Sturgeon wants to do is to give away independence. This is not an independence referendum. “The Scottish people need to be told the truth, and that is that wool is being pulled over their eyes. “The SNP do not want independence. They want to be signed up to the European project. They want to be signed up to the United States of Europe. “I think once the Scottish people realise that if there were to be a second referendum the majority would be far bigger this time than it was back in 2014.”
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces she will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.