Nicola Sturgeon: Legal referendum is the only way to win Scottish independence
2 min read
Nicola Sturgeon has said attaining the right to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence from Westminster is a “hard truth”, in contrast to her more radical supporters.
Appearing on the BBC’s Jeremy Vine Show on Friday, the Scottish First Minister said she was working to get the powers to hold another vote transferred from Westminster.
She added that she would “submit a formal demand” to the next UK government, asking for consent for another independence referendum, immediately after the General Election.
Ms Sturgeon said: "I am in the business of winning Scottish independence, not just having a referendum to make a point or have a gesture.
"No matter how difficult this seems sometimes, you have to have a process that is legal, that is constitutional and that is capable of being accepted not just within the UK but within the EU.
"For those who want Scotland to be become independent that, at times, can feel like a hard truth, but it is a truth nonetheless."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has faced accusations he would “cave immediately” to Ms Sturgeon’s demands from Scottish Tories.
Jack Carlaw, the Scottish Tory leader, said Scots had to act to ensure the SNP did not achieve such “bargaining power”.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard insisted he was opposed to a second independence referendum, but said he would not block it if there was “demonstrable” support in Scotland.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has said she would attempt to block another referendum, saying it would only bring “more chaos”.
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