The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Indyref2 plan faces rejection
Politics: But Scottish secretary insists no chance of referendum until after Brexit
Nicola Sturgeon faces having to rethink her plans for a second independence referendum despite her motion being passed at Holyrood yesterday. The UK Government restated its aim to reject her request for the legal power to hold such a vote.
“About giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country’s future”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has insisted the UK Government will not enter into any negotiations about another independence referendum “until the Brexit process is complete”.
As Holyrood backed Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second poll, the Tory frontbencher suggested ministers may not give the goahead for years.
He said now was the time to work together to secure the best possible exit deal for the UK, adding it would not be appropriate to have a vote while people did not know what the future EU UK relationship would be.
But the first minister stressed that the Scottish Parliament’s will must be respected.
And she said a formal request for the legal power to hold another referendum would be issued in the next few days.
Mr Mundell made clear last night a section 30 order would be denied, which will force Ms Sturgeon to rethink her plans.
During yesterday’s debate, she indicated that – should such a situation arise – she would set out her next steps after the Easter recess.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Sturgeon said the mandate for a referendum was “beyond question”.
She added: “It would be democratically indefensible – and utterly unsustainable– to attempt to stand in the way of it.
“This is, first and foremost, about giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country’s future.
“It is up to the UK Government to now make clear when they consider a referendum would be appropriate.”
The SNP leader’s motion was passed by 69 votes to 59, with support from the Scottish Greens.
The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats voted against it at the end of a second day of debate, which had been rescheduled after the West minster terror attack last week.
Ms Sturgeon wants to hold a referendum between the autumn of next year and spring, 2019, but Theresa May has already told her “now is not the time”.
Reacting to the Holyrood vote, Mr Mundell said: “We won’t be entering into any negotiations until the Brexit process is complete.