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SNP's Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill 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.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.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.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.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.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.""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".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%.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%.
How important is this announcement?
By BBC Scotland political reporter Philip Sim
As eye-catching announcements to open a conference go, Nicola Sturgeon's about independence legislation is hard to top.
But there are still a lot of hurdles to clear before Scotland could potentially go back to the polls.
SNP brass are clear that this is still draft legislation - calling attention to the "distinction" between the consultation due to start next week and MSPs actually voting on a bill.
There is some precedent for the legislative process ahead, in the Referendum Bill which triggered the 2014 contest. But that had the approval of Westminster, and it's quite possible - probable even - that Indyref2 would need a similar green light.
That remains a long way down the road, if it happens at all; this move doesn't change things enormously in the first instance, at least from a constitutional standpoint.
What it has done is turbo-charge the delegates at the SNP conference. Ms Sturgeon's announcement was greeted with massive cheers and a standing ovation - in marked contrast to the polite applause which greeted the passages about the Brexit deal.
Independence is what they want, and it trumps everything - the details of any Brexit agreement included.