Sturgeon unveils a bill for a second Scottish independence referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed her plan to hold a second independence referendum in the event of a hard Brexit ahead of the publication of a Bill to enable Scots to review their constitutional future.

The Scottish Government will publish its draft Independence Referendum Bill this morning.

Scotland voted by 55 percent to remain in the United Kingdom in 2014, but went on to vote by 62 percent to remain in the European Union sparking a constitutional crisis.

Sturgeon was re-elected as First Minister in May with nearly 50 percent of the popular vote, on a pledge to keep Scotland in the EU if the rest of the UK leaves.

Efforts to keep Scotland in the EU will ramp up next week with Sturgeon heading to London to meet Prime Minister Theresa May, before making a statement to parliament on her plans to resist Brexit and prepare for Indyref2 if necessary.

Her latest announcement has sparked a backlash from Scotland's unionist parties.

The Conservatives accused her of abandoning her duties as First Minister to pursue "her own separatist agenda", and Labour said a second referendum would be reckless and divisive.

Speaking ahead of the publication of the Bill, she said: “This government was elected on a specific manifesto pledge that the Scottish Parliament should be able to consider an independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against its will.
 
“The country now faces exactly that prospect, including the likelihood of it being a hard Brexit with all the additional damage that will do to Scotland's economy and jobs, which is why this bill is being published for consultation.
 
“Over the coming weeks I will be intensifying our efforts to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, in line with the overwhelming vote here to remain in the EU.
 
“Those efforts will include working UK-wide to avert a hard Brexit and also bringing forward a detailed proposal for how Scotland’s relationship with Europe, and our place in the single market, could be maintained, even if the rest of the UK leaves the single market.
 
“However, if it becomes clear that it is the best or only way of safeguarding Scotland’s interests – and in line with our manifesto commitment – parliament must be able to consider the option of an independence referendum, to allow the people of Scotland to vote on independence before the UK leaves the EU. I am determined to ensure that Scotland has the ability to make that choice if it is necessary to protect our vital interests.
 
“If there is an independence referendum, it will not be because the result of the 2014 referendum has not been respected – it will be because the promises made to Scotland have not been kept.
 
“Every part of Scotland voted to remain in Europe, but a Tory government with just one MP out of 59 is now threatening to drag us out of the EU – that is the stark reality of the situation we have been placed in, as a government and a nation.
 
“But all of the efforts we are making to protect our place in Europe, including through independence if it proves necessary, involve this government standing up for Scotland’s best interests.
 
“And the consultation beginning today will ensure that a referendum bill, if it is the chosen route, will – like the 2014 referendum – meet the gold standard of democracy and fairness.”

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “We promised during the election to fight proposals for a second independence referendum every step of the way, and that’s exactly what we are going to do.

“The First Minister says she respects the result from 2014, but there will be more than two million Scots who now know otherwise.

“Instead of using Brexit to further her own political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon should be working closely with the UK Government to address the risks and explore the opportunities this decision creates for industries and sectors across Scotland.

“Scotland's business community doesn't want another independence referendum, and the majority of the people of Scotland don't want another independence referendum.

“The fact that Nicola Sturgeon is desperately pushing for one shows she has given up on being a First Minister for all of Scotland in favour of championing her own separatist agenda.” 

Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary Dave Anderson said: “This is a reckless move by Nicola Sturgeon. It confirms that her priority is the politics of division, rather than focusing on much-needed improvements to Scotland’s schools or hospitals.

“Our country is already divided following the Tories’ Brexit gamble and a second referendum is the very last thing our fragile economy needs. It is little over two years since more than two million Scots voted to reject independence in what Nicola Sturgeon promised was a ‘once-in-a-generation’ referendum. Those two million votes must be respected.

“Only Labour stands for what the majority of Scots want - remaining part of the UK and maintaining our relationship with Europe.

“There will be absolutely no support for a second independence referendum from Labour.”