Sturgeon to publish bill on plans for indyref2
A new draft bill paving the way for a possible second Scottish independence referendum will be published before next May’s Holyrood elections, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The First Minister was branded “reckless” and “selfish” by opponents after setting out her intention to publish legislation proposing “terms and timing” for another poll.
Ms Sturgeon stressed next year’s elections would be fought on S cots’ “right to choose our own future”, as she pledged an independent Scotland could extend the job retention scheme.
Plans for a new NHS contact tracing app were also unveiled by the SNP leader.
Ni cola Sturgeon said next May’s Holyrood election will be fought on S cots’ “right to choose our own future” as she unveiled plans for a new draft bill paving the way for a possible second independence referendum.
The First Minister was branded “reckless” and “selfish” by opponents after setting out her intention to publish legislation proposing “terms and timing” for another poll in her programme for government for the coming year yesterday.
Plans for a new NHS contact tracing App were also unveiled by the SNP leader to suppress coronavirus, along with hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to save jobs and prop up the country’ s economy, battered as a result of lockdown.
She also promised a “comprehensive independent review of adult social care” would be established to set out options for the creation of a national care service.
The proposed legislation for a repeat of the 2014 referendum is likely to prove controversial as control over the constitution is reserved to Westminster and Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejects demands for another vote.
Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood, to applause from Nationalist MSPS: “Brexit – and the way in which it is being implemented – immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country, with the ability to shape our own destiny and contribute positively to the world.”
An independent Scotland could extend the job retention scheme, Ms Sturgeon added, as well as increasing Holy rood’ s borrowing powers, and develop renewables more quickly.
She continued: “And then at next year’s election, we will make the case for Scotland to become an independent country, and seek a clear endorse - ment of Scotland’ s right to choose our own future.”
Polls show that a narrow majority of Scots would back independence and the S NP says the Brexit vote – which saw a majority of Scots vote to remain in the EU, while the weight of votes south of the Border swung the result in favour of leave – has led to a “material change” in circumstances which justifies another independence vote.
But the Prime Minister, who has control over the constitution, has ruled that out, insisting that the 2014 event was a “once in a generation” vote.
Opponents hit out at the focus on an independence referendum, claiming it will harm Scotland’ s economic recovery.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “This was the moment where the First Minister could have put selfish, narrow interests to one side and united the country.
“Instead, we’re told the solution is another Referendum Bill, only this time in the middle of a pandemic.”
Labour’ s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “This reckless announcement from the First Minister shows that her top priority is to divide the people of Scotland.
“All her focus should be on post-C ovid recovery, not returning to the old politics of division that will harm Scotland’s society and economy. Recent polling shows this is not a priority for Scots, so the First Minister should start listening.
The programme f or government unveiled yesterday also saw a series of announcements to beef up Scotland’ s NHS and measures to boost growth.
The proximity a pp will be unveiled later this month and provide a“significant enhancement” to the country’s efforts to beat the virus.
The NHS Louisa Jordan hospital at the SECC in Glasgow will open through winter, Ms Sturgeon said, and eligibility for the flu vaccine would be extended to “everyone over the age of 55, social care workers and those who live with shielded people”.