ANALYSIS
NICOLA Sturgeon insists she remains willing to work with Theresa May over Scotland’s future in Europe.
But the Prime Minister will be under no illusions. She knows the SNP leader is prepared to play hardball over hard Brexit.
The First Minister laid her cards on the table this week in a draft bill on a new independence referendum: keep Scotland in the single market or face Indyref 2. Debate rages over which leader has a mandate to do what, and it does seem the FM is in a tight spot.
Opponents are making hay of her fresh drive for independence so soon after defeat and she must protect Scotland’s relationships with Europe and the rest of the UK.
Mrs May has been tight-lipped on Brexit, so it may serve both leaders to wear a poker face for now.
Is Ms Sturgeon confident of fresh support for a Yes vote, or is she seeking devolution that would later make independence irresistible?
If it’s the latter, threatening a new vote may prove a sound strategy.
Dithering over airport expansion is yet another sign the PM is a cautious politician.