This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37634338
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| SNP's Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A consultation gets under way next week on plans for a second Scottish independence referendum, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. | A consultation gets under way next week on plans for a second Scottish independence referendum, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. |
| She told the party's Glasgow conference that an Independence Referendum Bill would be published next week. | |
| It marks the first step to holding a second vote. | |
| The first referendum, which took place on 18 September, 2014, resulted in 55% of voters saying "no" to Scottish independence. | |
| Ms Sturgeon told delegates that Scotland had the right to seek something better if there were prospects of an unstable future as part of the UK. | |
| She said: "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. | |
| "So, I can confirm today that the Independence Referendum Bill will be published for consultation next week." | |
| On 24 June, the day after the UK voted to leave the EU, Ms Sturgeon said a second independence referendum was "highly likely". | |
| Those who voted in Scotland backed remaining in Europe by 62% to 38% while the UK as a whole backed leave, by a margin of 52% to 48%. |