SNP to focus on soft Brexit as Indyref2 shelved

Sturgeon wants Scotland in single market

The first minister has put plans for a second independence referendum on the back burner.

Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood she wants to build cross-party consensus in Scotland for a soft Brexit, keeping Scotland in the EU single market.

The partial concession to unionist parties, which she described as a re-set, sees the SNP back away from the immediate threat of another referendum until the terms of Brexit are clear.

But Ms Sturgeon was clear she would seek another vote in the event of a hard Brexit deal.

She said: “We will not seek to introduce the legislation for an independence referendum immediately.

“Instead, we will, in good faith, redouble our efforts and put our shoulder to the wheel in seeking to influence the Brexit talks in a way that protects Scotland’s interests.

“At the end of the period of negotiation with the EU, which is likely to be around next autumn, when the terms of Brexit will be clearer, we will come back to Parliament to set out our judgement on the best way forward at that time, including our view on the precise timescale for offering people a choice over the country’s future.”

However, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the issue should be taken off the table until the next Holyrood elections in 2021.

She added: “Whether they were yes or no voters, most people simply do not want a referendum on Scotland’s independence brought back any time soon.

“Furthermore, none of the questions that are raised by Brexit is answered by ripping Scotland out of our own union of nations, out of our biggest market and away from our closest friends.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale demanded the SNP leader turn her attention fully towards domestic and away from constitutional matters.

She said: “The first minister is digging her heels in, putting her fingers in her ears and pressing on regardless.

“The people of Scotland sent her a clear message in the general election: get back to governing. ”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie simply dismissed Mrs Sturgeon’s announcement as meaningless. He said: “The first minister has had a long, hard think about it and the first minister has concluded the first minister should call another independence referendum at a time of the first minister’s choosing – so absolutely nothing has changed.”

But Scottish Green coleader Patrick Harvie said he was furious the option was being shelved.

He said: “Scotland has not consented to being taken out of the European Union against its will. Scotland has not consented to the social and economic wreckage that we know will result if that is what happens.

“After negotiations between the UK Government and EU institutions and decisions made by every other member state in Europe, why should the people of Scotland be the only ones without the right to make a decision on that timescale?”

“Sturgeon was clear she would seek another vote in the event of a hard Brexit”

NEW DIRECTION: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives with John Swinney and Fiona Hyslop