Nicola Sturgeon blasted after announcing plan for second Scottish indepencence referendum
First Minister says Scots need to have their say about the future of their country again following from the Brexit vote
NICOLA Sturgeon set Scotland on the road to a second independence referendum yesterday revealing new laws would be set out next week to pave the way for a vote.
The First Minister demanded more powers from Theresa May and a separate Brexit deal for Scots as party chiefs claimed Scotland could be independent by 2019.
The First Minister told the SNP party conference Scotland could try and hold a vote before Britain leaves the EU if their demands were not met.
It came as Nicola Sturgeon accused Theresa May of “constitutional vandalism”.
Speaking to delegates she issued this threat to the PM: “If you think for one single second that I’m not serious about doing what it takes to protect Scotland’s interests, then think again.
“If you value the UK - as you say you do - it’s up to you to prove it can work for Scotland.
“The ball is in your court. If you can’t - or won’t - allow us to protect our interests within the UK, then Scotland will have the right to decide, afresh, if it wants to take a different path.”
Ms Sturgeon signalled if she did not get her demands she would call for another independence vote in the next two and a half years.
She told delegates in Glasgow: "On the morning after the referendum, I said I would protect Scotland's ability to make that choice.
“I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence - and to do so before the UK leaves the EU - if that is necessary to protect our country’s interests.”
Following her speech, Ms Sturgeon’s spokeswoman confirmed it could mean independence for Scotland before March 2019 – when the Article 50 negotiation period ends.
The Scottish Government will reveal its plans to the UK Government in the coming weeks for a separate Brexit deal for Scotland.
RELATED STORIES
But ministers poured cold water over her words today.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “Constant talk of another independence referendum is creating uncertainty and damaging the Scottish economy at a time when our growth is lagging behind the UK as a whole.
“The people of Scotland spoke loudly and clearly in the result of the legal, fair and decisive referendum of 2014 and that should be respected, as the UK and Scottish Governments both committed to do in the Edinburgh Agreement.”
A Government spokesman added: “The UK Government will negotiate for the whole of the country as we prepare to leave the EU.
“We have been clear that we will work closely with the devolved administrations, and look at any suggestions they put forward, but the deal will be for the whole of the UK.”
Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson slammed the threat.
“We had a referendum on independence two years ago.
“We were told it was once in a generation.
"Despite the lack of support for a re-run, the SNP has now gone back on its promise to respect that result.”
Tonight Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “This confirms that the SNP’s priority is not education, or healthcare, or tackling poverty.
“Nicola Sturgeon’s top priority is to divide our nation once again.
“Our economy is in trouble, and the last thing we need is the uncertainty of another independence referendum.”