Sturgeon set for talks to ‘protect Scotland in EU’
Former First Ministers of Scotland Alex McLeish and Jack McConnell. into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and the other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.”
On Friday Miss Sturgeon – who stated another referendum was “highly likely” – said she wanted to meet Jean- Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, at the earliest opportunity.
It is expected she will go to Brussels within the next two weeks to try to canvass support for Scotland remaining a part of the EU.
In addition, the consuls general of all EU member states are to be invited to a summit in Bute House to discuss the situation.
Meanwhile, former First Minister Jack McConnell urged Miss Sturgeon to take a different tack to her predecessor when it comes to making the case for independence if a second referendum is called.
He said: “In Scotland, those who support independence will put that to a referendum at some point in the next two years, but they need to do a lot more work on that than they did under the previous leadership.
“I think Nicola needs to be more serious about this than Alex was if I can put it in those terms, she needs to think through all the implications, give everybody the answers – good and bad. Spell out the reality of what this means both in terms of benefits, but also the short term and longer term costs.
“And at the other end, whoever is the new PM needs to think about their vision of the UK.”
And another former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish has indicated he could back a Yes vote in a second independence vote.
He said: “We have now got to a point that has changed the whole dynamic of Scotland and the union. Scotland’s choice now is does it want to be part of the UK out of Europe, or does it want to be out of the UK and a part of the European Union. I am very, very attracted to the notion that we be part of the EU.”
Tor y MSP and Leave supporter Ross Thomson said Miss Sturgeon was on the wrong path.
He said; “The votes cast for Remain in this referendum in no way dilute the overwhelming result of 2014. Simply there has been no material change.
“Over a million Scots voted Leave and 36% of the SNP’s own voters backed us. The very voters Nicola relied on in 2014, had in 2016 and will need in any future referendum have made it clear that they do not wish Scotland to be a member of the EU.”