Nicola Sturgeon has delivered a speech at Bute house announcing her intention to hold a second independence referendum between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019.
Video courtesy of BBC Scotland News.
Speaking at Bute House in Edinburgh she said: “In my view it is important that Scotland is able to exercise the right to choose our own future at a time when the options are clearer than they are now, but before it is too late to decide our own path.”
On when the referendum would take place, Ms Sturgeon said: “The timing of the Brexit negotiations are not within the control of the Scottish Government. However, we must plan on the basis of what we do know now and what we know is that on the timetable set out by the Prime Minister, the shape of the Brexit deal will become clear in the autumn of next year ahead of ratification votes by other EU countries.
“That is therefore the earliest point at which a referendum would be appropriate.”
Next week, Ms Sturgeon is to ask the Scottish Parliament for permission to request a Section 30 order from Westminster – required to allow a referendum to be held.
She said she wanted a vote to be held between the autumn of 2018 and spring 2019, with the choice between “a hard Brexit” and independence which would “secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government’s mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt.
“So next week I will seek the approval of the Scottish Parliament to open discussions with the UK Government on the details of a Section 30 order – the procedure that will enable the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.”
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