Sturgeon: Give UK nations veto in EU exit referendum

Nicola Sturgeon will demand today England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must each deliver a majority vote in an in/out referendum on the EU to make withdrawal legal.

Speaking at a party rally at the Corn Exchange today, Sturgeon is expected to say: "Should a Bill be tabled in the House of Commons for a referendum on European Union membership, my party will table an amendment. That amendment will require that for the UK to leave the EU, each of the four constituent nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - would have to vote to do so, not just the UK as a whole." Such an amendment, she will say, would give protection against any of the nations "being removed form the EU against their will".

David Cameron has promised a referendum on membership of the European Union in 2017 should the Conservatives win the General Election, but Sturgeon insists it is likely to happen whoever wins in May. Ed Miliband has said a referendum would only happen under a Labour government if there was a further transfer of power to Brussels.

Sturgeon will say she believes the perceived rise of support for UKIP in England shows the country will vote to leave, while Scotland will vote to stay in. 

"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," she will tell activists.