MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Scottish government plans second independence referendum in 2018/19
The Scottish first minister said the move was needed to protect Scottish interests in the wake of the UK voting to leave the EU. 
Mrs. May said a second independence referendum would set Scotland on course for “uncertainty and division” Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she will ask for permission to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, and the vote would be held between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of the following year. That would coincide with the expected conclusion of the UK's Brexit negotiations.
The Scottish first minister said the move was needed to protect Scottish interests in the wake of the UK voting to leave the EU. She will ask the Scottish Parliament next Tuesday to request a Section 30 order from Westminster. The order would be needed to allow a fresh legally-binding referendum on independence to be held.
Prime Minister Theresa May has so far avoided saying whether or not she would grant permission.
Responding to Ms Sturgeon's announcement, Mrs. May said a second independence referendum would set Scotland on course for “uncertainty and division” and insisted that the majority of people in Scotland did not want another vote on the issue.
She added: “The tunnel vision that SNP has shown today is deeply regrettable.
”Instead of playing politics with the future of our country, the Scottish government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of Scotland. Politics is not a game.“
But speaking at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said the people of Scotland must be offered a choice between a ”hard Brexit“ and becoming an independent country.
The Scottish government has published proposals which it says would allow Scotland to remain a member of the European single market even if the rest of the UK leaves, which Mrs. May has said it will.
The first minister said the UK government had not ”moved even an inch in pursuit of compromise and agreement“ since the Brexit referendum, which saw Scotland vote by 62% to 38% in favor of Remain while the UK as a whole voted to leave by 52% to 48%.
Ms Sturgeon said Scotland stood at a ”hugely important crossroads“, and insisted she would continue to attempt to reach a compromise with the UK government.
But she added: ”I will take the steps necessary now to make sure that Scotland will have a choice at the end of this process.
“A choice of whether to follow the UK to a hard Brexit, or to become an independent country able to secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe.”
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Read all commentsMr. Think
Mar 14th, 2017 - 11:31 pm +5I think the glory days of the North sea oil boom are well and truly in the past, the bulk of my finances are entwined in the economy of Scotland I have no wish to see them risked any further...
You might want to take note of the 37,000 job cuts in the oil industry in two years in Norway...
Fortunately they were able to invest their oil fortunes in the past...there is no hope of Scotland doing that now...
http://norwaytoday.info/news/37000-job-cuts-two-years-oil-industry/
EscoSesDoidao
It is rather amusing that WingsoverScotland...is based in Bath England the guy doesn't even live in Scotland...
About as relevant as Sean Connery's Nationalistic support...god save us from ex-pats with opinions...
If you want an opinion on Independence...fcuking well live here...
Think
Mar 15th, 2017 - 11:05 pm +5Yes we do get your drift ! Trying to compare the armed invasion of Tibet by China, their total subjugation and the death of 89,000 Tibetans during that act with the Union of Scotland and England is TOTAL NONSENSE.
I have not noticed anyone being arrested and beaten up for waving the Saltire, singing Flower of Scotland or denigrating the English.
So, Scotland is being held at gunpoint with threats of dire action if we step out of line ?
Total garbage.
As far as I can make out on this forum I am the only native Scot who actually lives here so I think my opinion is worth more than yours as I have lived quite contentedly in the Union for 75 years
What makes you such an expert in Scottish affairs that you keep pronouncing on the subject as if you were uniquely qualified to do so.
When I read any of your pronouncements, I think “Dover over Dover” and the pack of lies
emanating from that and treat the rest of your postings in the same way.
Stay in Chubut...if you actually live there...as Scotland does not need you.
I don't think it is wise at this moment in time to have all this division...Irish Unification and Inderef2...
Mar 14th, 2017 - 01:43 pm +4I didn't vote for Brexit, but I think the UK should not be put at a disadvantage in the up and coming negotiations with the EU, the EU will be exploiting any weaknesses to their advantage...
Let's see what kind of deal we can get playing the strongest hand possible and if folk are not happy a couple of years on then put it to the people...
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