Nicola Sturgeon calls for second Scottish independence referendum by 2021 if Brexit goes ahead
3 min read
Nicola Sturgeon has said that a second Scottish independence referendum should be held within two years if the UK has left the European Union by then.
The First Minister told MSPs that the Scottish Government would introduce legislation to allow for another vote by the end of this year.
She said the referendum should then be held before the next Scottish Parliament elections, which are due in May 2021.
Ms Sturgeon has been under pressure from grassroots SNP members to push for so-called "indyref2" as soon as possible, amid the ongoing Brexit uncertainty at Westminster.
In a statement to Holyrood, she said: "To rush into an immediate decision before a Brexit path has been determined would not allow for an informed choice to be made, however if we are to safeguard Scotland’s interests we cannot wait indefinitely.
"That is why I consider that choice between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an independent European nation should be offered in the lifetime of this parliament.
“If Scotland is taken out of the EU the option of a referendum on independence within that timescale must be open to us. That would be our route to avoiding the worst of the damage Brexit will do."
Ms Sturgeon also conceded that Westminster would need to pass a so-called Section 30 order authorising the Scottish government to hold a legally-binding referendum.
However, Theresa May has repeatedly said she would not allow another Scottish referendum to take place.
When the first one was held in 2014, Scots voted 55% to 45% to remain in the UK.
Ms Sturgeon's announcement sparked anger from opposition parties, with stand-in Scottish Conservatives leader Jackson Carlaw branding the proposal "inherently divisive".
"Astonishingly, the way Nicola Sturgeon thinks we can come together is for Scotland to be plunged into another divisive referendum within the next 18 months. That is frankly absurd," he said.
"The SNP's plan is clearly to divide families, workplaces and communities all over again, and for the foreseeable future. That is not what the majority of Scotland wants."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Ms Sturgeon's timing was down to the SNP's conference being due to take place in three days time.
"The First Minister is using this Parliamentary platform for a party platform, and in that she is devaluing the office which she holds."
The Scottish government argues that it has a mandate for a fresh referendum during this parliament since a majority of MSPs - from the SNP and Scottish Greens - were elected on manifestos in 2016 to hold one if Scotland was pulled out of the EU against its will.
The country voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the bloc a month later, while the UK as a whole voted to leave.
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