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Nicola Sturgeon confirms plans to hold second Scottish Independence referendum

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, arrives at the Scottish Parliament to update MSPs on Brexit and her plans for Scottish independence.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, arrives at the Scottish Parliament to update MSPs on Brexit and her plans for Scottish independence.

Nicola Sturgeon has told MSPs she plans to hold an independence referendum by the end of next year.

The First Minister said Brexit-stricken Scots should get to vote on breaking away from the UK during this parliament, which is due to end in 2021.

The SNP leader told Holyrood that the people of Scotland will be “offered a choice on independence” within the “lifetime of this parliament” if Scotland is taken out of the EU, adding the wait cannot go on “indefinitely”.

Given the time required in the lead-up to a Holyrood vote in May 2021, the independence ballot would have to take place by the end of 2020, under Ms Sturgeon’s timetable.

Nicola Sturgeon giving her statement to Holyrood.

She told fellow MSPs: “To rush into an immediate decision before a Brexit path has been determined would not allow for an informed choice.

“However, if we are to safeguard Scotland’s interests we cannot wait indefinitely.

“That is why I consider that a choice between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an independent, European nation should be offered in the lifetime of this parliament.

“If Scotland is to be taken out of the EU, the option of a referendum independence within that timescale must be open to us.

“That would be our route to avoiding the worst of the damage Brexit will do.”

The ministerial statement on Brexit and Scotland’s Future in the Scottish Parliament got under way at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Thousands of people taking part in the ‘All Under One Banner’ march for Scottish independence through Glasgow city centre.

Mrs Strugeon added the Scottish Government is getting the ball rolling on legislation to allow them to hold a second independence referendum.

She told parliament: “The question that confronts us confronts all of us if the status quo is not fit for purpose…how do we fix that? And can we do so in a way that maximises consensus rather than amplifying our difference?

“These are not easy challenges but those of us who sit in this chamber, all of us who sit in this chamber, are elected to represent the national interest.

“We have a duty to rise to that challenge, to stand in each other’s shoes and find a way forward. Nobody expects us to abandon deeply held beliefs.

“I will argue that independence offers the best future. That case for independence is even stronger now given the profound changes that have taken place in the UK since 2014.

“While Scotland’s interests have been ignored by the UK, independent Ireland’s have been strengthened by the EU. Scotland should be a thriving and driving force within Europe, instead we face being forced to the margins.

“Independence by contrast would allow us to protect our place in Europe. It would mean that decisions against our will and contrary to our interests cannot be imposed by Westminster.”

In her 30-minute address to the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon admitted she needed Westminster approval to ensure the credibility of a second independence referendum, ruling out the possibility of a “wildcat” referendum.

Political forecaster Sir John Curtice claims Brexit has made Scots independence cause harder

She also outlined plans to convene a citizens assembly and hold cross-party talks in Holyrood to find a way forward for Scotland’s constitutional status.

The SNP leader started her speech by expressing “regret and anger” at the “money and effort” put into preparing for the outcome of a no-deal Brexit.

Scottish Conservative caretaker leader Jackson Carlaw described Ms Sturgeon’s statement as “inherently divisive”.

“Astonishingly, the way Nicola Sturgeon thinks we can come together is for Scotland to be plunged into another divisive referendum within the next 18 months,” he siad.

“That is frankly absurd. The SNP’s plan is clearly to divide families, workplaces and communities all over again, and for the foreseeable future.

“That is not what the majority of Scotland wants. People have had enough of constitutional politics and division.

“Yet, with the SNP, more of this is now inevitable.”

The debate is continuing and can be watched here.