Sturgeon: I’ll call another vote if PM rejects single market deal
NICOLA Sturgeon has threatened to call a second independence vote before the UK leaves the EU.
Scotland’s First Minister told the SNP’s Glasgow conference that she will seek a fast referendum if the Prime Minister refuses to keep the country in the single market for any Brexit deal.
Miss Sturgeon vowed to tell her MPs to vote against any Brexit bill. Critics immediately accused her of stoking the politics of division and forcing even more constitutional upheaval on Scotland.
But Miss Sturgeon will publish a fresh independence referendum bill for consultation next week, barely two years after Scots voted against breaking up the UK.
She told the conference: ‘I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence – and to do so before the UK
‘The case for independence’
leaves the EU – if that is necessary to protect our country’s interests.
Trying to justify another poll, she told SNP activists: ‘We must engage the arguments with a fresh eye and an open mind. The case for independence will have to be made and won.’
And she accused Theresa May of having displayed ‘disregard for Scotland’s democratic voice that was reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher’.
The First Minister also announced plans for ‘specific proposals’ aimed at protecting Scotland’s interests in Europe and keeping the country in the single market ‘even if the rest of the UK decides to leave’.
Downing Street dismissed the idea of sanctioning a second referendum – and stressed that Scotland does not have a veto on Brexit.
Asked about the prospect of a second referendum, the PM’s spokesman said: ‘We believe the issue was settled in 2014,’ stressing that Mrs May was committed to preserving the Union and willing to listen to Miss Sturgeon’s concerns.
But Mrs May told reporters that neither Miss Sturgeon nor the Scottish Parliament will be allowed to block Brexit or dictate final deal terms.
‘We want to engage differently,’ she said. ‘But we will be delivering the will of the British people, and that is to leave the EU.’
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservatives leader, said her party would oppose any attempt to ‘drag’ Scotland into a second independence referendum.
She said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon could today have set out a positive, constructive vision for how the country progresses together.
‘Instead she has made it clear she wants to take Scotland back to yet more uncertainty, more division and more constitutional upheaval.’
Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader said: ‘This confirms that the SNP’s priority is not education, or healthcare, or tackling poverty.
‘Nicola Sturgeon’s top priority is to divide our nation once again. But our country is already divided following the Tories’ reckless Brexit gamble and we should not be seeking further divisions. Our economy is in trouble and the last thing we need is the uncertainty of another independence referendum.’
But the consultation was welcomed by the pro-independence Scottish Greens, who said: ‘Independence may be Scotland’s best hope of remaining in the EU, and it’s right that preparations are made and the case continues to be built.’
Some 50 per cent of Scots are opposed to holding a second independence referendum before Brexit happens, according to a Times poll published last month.
Just 37 per cent were in favour despite Scots largely voting to stay in the EU.
In the event it is held, just 46 per cent say they would back separation. Miss Sturgeon has previously signalled she would not risk another referendum unless polls showed 60 per cent of Scots in favour of independence.
BARELY two years after Scottish voters decisively rejected breaking up the United Kingdom, the SNP are at it again, demanding another referendum even though their arguments lie in ruins.
Consider the facts. If it wasn’t being subsidised by the British taxpayer, Scotland would be the basket case of Europe, with a budget deficit of nearly £15billion, or ten per cent of GDP. North Sea revenues the SNP predicted to be £7.5billion a year are now just £60million. On its own, Scotland would have no prospect of joining the EU – which is reeling from Brexit and a refugee crisis, and hardly wants another Greece on its books.
In any event, Spain would surely veto its membership for fear of furthering Catalan independence demands.
This newspaper wholeheartedly believes in the Union, which is still the most successful and enduring alliance in history. To her credit, Theresa May has spoken repeatedly of her determination to reinforce the bonds between our nations.
As the Prime Minister put it last month: ‘We share each other’s successes when times are good, and shoulder each other’s burdens when times are tough.’