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SNP's Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill SNP's Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill
(about 1 hour 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.
Ms Sturgeon said Scotland had the right to choose a different path if it was not allowed to protect its interests "within the UK".Ms Sturgeon said Scotland had the right to choose a different path if it was not allowed to protect its interests "within the UK".
The first Scottish independence referendum, which took place on 18 September, 2014, resulted in 55% of voters saying "no".The first Scottish independence referendum, which took place on 18 September, 2014, resulted in 55% of voters saying "no".
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? However, Scottish Secretary David Mundell called on Ms Sturgeon to "commit her government to working constructively with the UK government to seize the opportunities that will bring, not taking Scotland back to the divisive constitutional debates of the past".
By BBC Scotland political reporter Philip Sim He 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."
As eye-catching announcements to open a conference go, Nicola Sturgeon's about independence legislation is hard to top. Will a second independence referendum happen?
But there are still a lot of hurdles to clear before Scotland could potentially go back to the polls. By BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor
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. Consultation does not mean decision. It does not mean a date for the ballot. It does not mean action. It does not mean a referendum will definitely happen. It means next to nothing.
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. However, there was in the speech a far more significant announcement which, shorn of rhetoric, drew relatively little applause.
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. That was when the FM said her government would put forward proposals - which they are already crafting - to maintain as much of Scotland's links with the EU as may be thought feasible, post Brexit.
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. Crucially, this would be within the UK. It would not require indyref2. It would not require independence. It would, however, require new powers for the Scottish Parliament - including the power to reach transnational agreements.
Independence is what they want, and it trumps everything - the details of any Brexit agreement included. It would require, therefore, a flexible UK: perhaps on the lines of the relationship between Flanders and Belgium as a whole. Perhaps maintaining connections to the single market, Norway style. Perhaps also driven by the need to accord special status to Northern Ireland.
In essence, Ms Sturgeon is making that the core of her pitch. She is challenging Theresa May to smile upon this prospect, to take it seriously and, ultimately, to advance it as part of the UK Brexit pitch if it is judged worthwhile.
Read more from Brian
Ms Sturgeon's opening address also saw her issue a warning that the right wing of the Tory party was seeking to "hijack" the EU referendum result.Ms Sturgeon's opening address also saw her issue a warning that the right wing of the Tory party was seeking to "hijack" the EU referendum result.
She told the 3,000 delegates gathered that the Tories were using the result as a "licence for xenophobia".She told the 3,000 delegates gathered that the Tories were using the result as a "licence for xenophobia".
Ms Sturgeon insisted that the Prime Minister Theresa May needed to respect the 62% who voted to remain in the EU.Ms Sturgeon insisted that the Prime Minister Theresa May needed to respect the 62% who voted to remain in the EU.
She also confirmed that SNP MPs would oppose Brexit legislation when it comes before the House of Commons in 2017.She also confirmed that SNP MPs would oppose Brexit legislation when it comes before the House of Commons in 2017.
The MSP said: "I can confirm today that SNP MPs will vote against the Brexit Bill when it comes before the House of Commons next year.The MSP said: "I can confirm today that SNP MPs will vote against the Brexit Bill when it comes before the House of Commons next year.
"That bill will repeal the legislation that enacted our EU membership. Scotland didn't vote for that and so neither will our MPs."That bill will repeal the legislation that enacted our EU membership. Scotland didn't vote for that and so neither will our MPs.
"But we will also work to persuade others - Labour, Liberals and moderate Tories - to join us in a coalition against a hard Brexit: not just for Scotland, but for the whole UK."But we will also work to persuade others - Labour, Liberals and moderate Tories - to join us in a coalition against a hard Brexit: not just for Scotland, but for the whole UK.
"The Conservative Party manifesto, on which Theresa May and all other Tory MPs were elected said this: 'We are clear about what we want from Europe. We say: yes to the Single Market'."The Conservative Party manifesto, on which Theresa May and all other Tory MPs were elected said this: 'We are clear about what we want from Europe. We say: yes to the Single Market'.
"The prime minister may have a mandate to take England and Wales out of the EU but she has no mandate whatsoever to remove any part of the UK from the single market.""The prime minister may have a mandate to take England and Wales out of the EU but she has no mandate whatsoever to remove any part of the UK from the single market."
Analysis by the BBC's Scotland editor Sarah Smith What message is Nicola Sturgeon sending to Theresa May?
By BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith
Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference that not a day passes without someone telling her to "hurry up" with a second referendum on Scottish independence.Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference that not a day passes without someone telling her to "hurry up" with a second referendum on Scottish independence.
And every day someone tells her to "slow down".And every day someone tells her to "slow down".
It is certainly true that every day since the EU referendum the question is asked when, or if, the SNP's call for Indyref2 - as it's known - might happen.It is certainly true that every day since the EU referendum the question is asked when, or if, the SNP's call for Indyref2 - as it's known - might happen.
With many commentators (myself included) concluding that the cautious, canny Sturgeon will not rush into a vote she knows she might lose.With many commentators (myself included) concluding that the cautious, canny Sturgeon will not rush into a vote she knows she might lose.
Today Ms Sturgeon made very clear that she is prepared to trigger a second referendum if she feels that is the only way to protect Scotland from what she calls a "hard Brexit imposed by the hard right of the Tory party".Today Ms Sturgeon made very clear that she is prepared to trigger a second referendum if she feels that is the only way to protect Scotland from what she calls a "hard Brexit imposed by the hard right of the Tory party".
She was angered by what she heard from the prime minister at the Tory conference last week.She was angered by what she heard from the prime minister at the Tory conference last week.
Read more from SarahRead more from Sarah
At the beginning of the three-day conference, if was announced that SNP MP Angus Robertson had been voted the new deputy of the party.At the beginning of the three-day conference, if was announced that SNP MP Angus Robertson had been voted the new deputy of the party.
Mr Robertson defeated Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard, Alyn Smith MEP and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny to take 52.5% of the votes cast.Mr Robertson defeated Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard, Alyn Smith MEP and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny to take 52.5% of the votes cast.
About 120,000 SNP members were entitled to vote in the contest.About 120,000 SNP members were entitled to vote in the contest.