Who blinks first? Something’s got to give as governments set on collision course
The Scottish Parliament has backed SNP plans to pave the way for a second independence referendum. MSPs voted 69 – 59 in favour, with the Greens supporting the SNP against Tory, Labour and Lib Dem opposition.
Speaking after the vote of the Scottish Parliament last night, which mandated the Scottish Government to open formal talks with the UK Government on the details of a Section 30 order, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is now the will of Scotland’s democratically elected national parliament that discussions should begin with the UK Government to enable an independence referendum to be held. People should be given that choice once the details of the UK’s Brexit deal are clear – and the Prime Minister yesterday confirmed to me that she agrees this will be in 18 months to two years from now.
“Today’s vote must now be respected. The mandate for a referendum is beyond question, and it would be democratically indefensible – and utterly unsustainable – to attempt to stand in the way of it.
“We will now act on the mandate given to us by parliament by making a formal approach to the UK Government within the next few days, after Article 50 has been triggered.
“This is, first and foremost, about giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country’s future.
“We know that Brexit threatens a hugely damaging and uncertain future for Scotland, and it would not be right if the people of Scotland – having been told in 2014 that the only way to protect our place in Europe was to vote against independence – were denied a choice.
“Every other nation in the EU will soon have a say on the terms of Brexit, and on how it impacts Scotland. The people of this nation cannot and must not be the only ones denied a say.
“The Prime Minister says that now is not the time for a referendum. I agree with that, which is why I have indicated a timescale no earlier than 18 months from now, when the terms of Brexit are clear – something the PM has now indicated she agrees with. It is up to the UK Government to now make clear when they consider a referendum would be appropriate.
“There is clear precedent for how the terms of a referendum made in Scotland can be agreed, and that precedent should be followed.
“The people of Scotland are sovereign, and they will be given a choice on their own future.”
However Scottish secretary David Mundell insisted once again that it ‘simply wouldn’t be fair to hold a referendum during the Brexit process’ as people would not yet know what the future relationship between the UK and EU will be.
He told the BBC: “We are not entering into negotiations on whether there should be another independence referendum during the Brexit process. We don’t have a crystal ball as to how long that process will take. We don’t recognise, for example, 18 months as being a key point in the journey.
“It will be a journey that will involve the negotiations with the EU, it may be a journey that involves transitional measures, it may be a journey that involves significant implementation time.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale appealed to supporters: “Tonight, SNP MSPs forced through a vote for another divisive independence referendum.
“I am clear – Scotland does not want and does not need another referendum. I believe that together we’re stronger.
“If you do just one thing today, please sign the togetherstronger.scot pled
Northern & Leith MSP Ben Macpherson said the people of Scotland are facing new choices and explained why he is backing a new Scottish Independence Referendum.
He said: “At the moment, we face a serious choice about who we are and where we want to go. It’s a choice for all of the people of Scotland, about our values, our place in the world and the direction of this remarkable place we call home.
“We face an important choice about whether we either accept the damaging consequences of a hard-Brexit or instead chart a different, more inclusive, more progressive course with independence – and that is a profoundly different choice to the one we considered in 2014, just as the circumstances have changed significantly and materially since the 23rd of June last year.
“The situation before us is not a question of #indyref2 but instead of #indyrefNEW.
“We face a new choice with new alternatives and new challenges – a critical choice that matters to every women and man across our country, whatever they’re background and wherever they come from; and in this period of unexpected and extraordinary change and flux and deep uncertainty, as a result of Brexit, the voice of the people should and must be heard in a new referendum to determine Scotland’s future.”
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