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Events held to mark second anniversary of indyref Events held to mark second anniversary of indyref
(about 1 hour later)
Events are to be held to mark the second anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum. Events are being held to mark the second anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum.
Scotland went to the polls on 18 September 2014 after a lengthy referendum campaign, with the pro-union side winning by 55% to 45%.Scotland went to the polls on 18 September 2014 after a lengthy referendum campaign, with the pro-union side winning by 55% to 45%.
Pro-independence rallies are to be held in Glasgow and other cities to mark the anniversary of the 2014 vote.Pro-independence rallies are to be held in Glasgow and other cities to mark the anniversary of the 2014 vote.
Meanwhile pro-Union supporters are to mark the occasion by calling for talk of a second referendum to be ditched.Meanwhile pro-Union supporters are to mark the occasion by calling for talk of a second referendum to be ditched.
The SNP has launched a "new conversation" on independence in the wake of the Brexit vote, but opposition parties have urged them to "focus on the day job" of governing Scotland.The SNP has launched a "new conversation" on independence in the wake of the Brexit vote, but opposition parties have urged them to "focus on the day job" of governing Scotland.
A rally of independence supporters is to be held at Glasgow Green, with planned speakers said to include SNP MP and deputy leadership candidate Tommy Sheppard.A rally of independence supporters is to be held at Glasgow Green, with planned speakers said to include SNP MP and deputy leadership candidate Tommy Sheppard.
Record turnoutRecord turnout
Other events are taking place elsewhere in Glasgow, Oban and Inverness, and a rally is also planned for Edinburgh later in the week.Other events are taking place elsewhere in Glasgow, Oban and Inverness, and a rally is also planned for Edinburgh later in the week.
On 18 September 2014, more than 3.6 million Scots - a record 84.59% of the electorate - turned out to vote on the question "should Scotland be an independent country".On 18 September 2014, more than 3.6 million Scots - a record 84.59% of the electorate - turned out to vote on the question "should Scotland be an independent country".
A total of 2,001,926 people voted No, while 1,617,989 voted Yes.A total of 2,001,926 people voted No, while 1,617,989 voted Yes.
Most of the major parties have changed leaders since then, with Nicola Sturgeon replacing Alex Salmond as first minister and Theresa May taking over from David Cameron in Downing Street, while there have been UK and Scottish parliamentary elections and a referendum on the EU.Most of the major parties have changed leaders since then, with Nicola Sturgeon replacing Alex Salmond as first minister and Theresa May taking over from David Cameron in Downing Street, while there have been UK and Scottish parliamentary elections and a referendum on the EU.
Ms Sturgeon has claimed that the UK Scotland voted to remain part of "no longer exists", arguing that Scots have the right to consider a second poll in light of the EU referendum in June, which saw the majority of Scots who turned out backing Remain, while the UK as a whole voted to leave.Ms Sturgeon has claimed that the UK Scotland voted to remain part of "no longer exists", arguing that Scots have the right to consider a second poll in light of the EU referendum in June, which saw the majority of Scots who turned out backing Remain, while the UK as a whole voted to leave.
'Passing political fads'
Writing in the Sunday Herald newspaper to mark the anniversary, the SNP leader said self-governance was more important than "oil, national wealth and balance sheets".Writing in the Sunday Herald newspaper to mark the anniversary, the SNP leader said self-governance was more important than "oil, national wealth and balance sheets".
Ms Sturgeon said: "Two years on from the historic vote of 2014, the fundamental case for Scotland's independence remains as it was. The case for full self-government ultimately transcends the issues of Brexit, of oil, of national wealth and balance sheets and of passing political fads and trends." Ms Sturgeon said: "The EU referendum and the myriad of uncertainties it has thrown up in terms of the path ahead for both Scotland and the rest of the UK have of course provided a new ingredient to the debate on Scotland's future.
"But two years on from the historic vote of 2014, the fundamental case for Scotland's independence remains as it was. The case for full self-government ultimately transcends the issues of Brexit, of oil, of national wealth and balance sheets and of passing political fads and trends.
"It is in essence, as the Yes campaign said two years ago, about the simple fundamental truth that the big decisions about Scotland - including the decision about our EU membership - should be taken by those who live and work here. That is a truth which endures."
Mr Salmond meanwhile predicted his successor would call a second poll in 2018.Mr Salmond meanwhile predicted his successor would call a second poll in 2018.
During an interview with Russia Today, he said: "I would expect Nicola Sturgeon to fulfil her mandate to keep Scotland within the single market place. I would expect her to give Theresa May the opportunity to embed Scotland within the negotiations to enable that to happen. And the Scottish Greens said they would launch a fresh campaign to convince former No voters to back independence by having others who changed their minds explain their reasons.
"I fully expect, my reading of the situation is, that the UK will not be flexible or wise enough to do that. And therefore I expect there'll be a Scottish referendum in roughly two years' time." A party spokesman said: "In light of the 2015 election, the prospect of decades more Tory government or the results of this year's Brexit vote many have reconsidered their choice and many more are thinking of doing the same. This campaign is about giving these voters a platform to tell their stories."
'Respect the result' Former Better Together campaigners have also been marking the event.
Former Better Together campaigners will also mark the event. 'Gone up in smoke'
The Scottish Conservatives have set up a number of street stalls across Scotland calling for the country to "move forward" instead of focusing on independence.The Scottish Conservatives have set up a number of street stalls across Scotland calling for the country to "move forward" instead of focusing on independence.
Leader Ruth Davidson said SNP promises to respect the verdict of the referendum had "gone up in smoke", saying Scots "don't want to go back to years in time to the division we experienced then" Leader Ruth Davidson said SNP promises to respect the verdict of the referendum had "gone up in smoke", saying Scots "don't want to go back to years in time to the division we experienced then".
She said: "Using the result of the EU referendum to revive a second referendum isn't the right course for Scotland - something other pro-independence supporters have acknowledged. I hope Nicola Sturgeon listens to their views this week.She said: "Using the result of the EU referendum to revive a second referendum isn't the right course for Scotland - something other pro-independence supporters have acknowledged. I hope Nicola Sturgeon listens to their views this week.
"I respect that she will always support independence. But she needs to respect the fact that the country had its say and chose to stay within the UK. That referendum result needs to be respected.""I respect that she will always support independence. But she needs to respect the fact that the country had its say and chose to stay within the UK. That referendum result needs to be respected."
Meanwhile, Ms Davidson's finance and economy spokesmen Murdo Fraser and Dean Lockhart have written to Ms Sturgeon urging her to rule out a second referendum, calling it a "ball and chain" on the country's economy.
They said Ms Sturgeon "could provide no greater stimulus to the Scottish economy than to clarify that no referendum will take place".
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the SNP should "renew its focus on the day job".Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the SNP should "renew its focus on the day job".
'Bread and butter issues'
She said: "Since 2014 the economic arguments for Scotland staying in the UK, the positive benefits we get from pooling and sharing resources, have become stronger.She said: "Since 2014 the economic arguments for Scotland staying in the UK, the positive benefits we get from pooling and sharing resources, have become stronger.
"With so many challenges facing Scotland's future it makes no sense to return to the arguments of our past."With so many challenges facing Scotland's future it makes no sense to return to the arguments of our past.
"Instead there should be a renewed focus on the day job from the SNP government. We need to see real progress on the bread and butter issues which touch the lives of families across Scotland."Instead there should be a renewed focus on the day job from the SNP government. We need to see real progress on the bread and butter issues which touch the lives of families across Scotland.
"Scotland's voice was heard in 2014 and Nicola Sturgeon needs to listen to it.""Scotland's voice was heard in 2014 and Nicola Sturgeon needs to listen to it."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, speaking at his party's federal conference in Brighton, accused former Prime Minister David Cameron of putting "the future of the union" at risk by focusing on English nationalism after the vote.
He said: "Instead of reaching out to Scotland, he used his speech in the morning of the Scottish referendum result to stoke up English nationalism by arbitrarily stripping Scottish MPs of voting rights.
"He put all our work during the referendum at risk. I am glad he has gone. David Cameron doesn't deserve our respect or fond memory."