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-37708545
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| New Scottish independence bill published | New Scottish independence bill published |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish government has published its draft bill on a second independence referendum. | The Scottish government has published its draft bill on a second independence referendum. |
| The document sets out proposals for the rules governing the referendum campaign, the conduct of the poll and the counting of votes. | The document sets out proposals for the rules governing the referendum campaign, the conduct of the poll and the counting of votes. |
| The move does not mean another referendum will definitely be held. | |
| But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland should be ready to hold a vote if it is felt necessary to protect its interests in the wake of Brexit. | |
| And she has said Scotland should have the ability to reconsider the independence issue before the UK leaves the EU, which is likely to be in 2019 if the UK government triggers the formal Article 50 process in March of next year. | |
| It would then be for the Scottish Parliament - where the SNP and Scottish Greens form a small pro-independence majority - to consider the bill and decide whether a referendum should be held, with the UK government being asked to grant a Section 30 order to allow the vote. | |
| The draft bill was formally unveiled by Constitution Secretary Derek Mackay, despite the Scottish Parliament being in recess until next week. | The draft bill was formally unveiled by Constitution Secretary Derek Mackay, despite the Scottish Parliament being in recess until next week. |
| It says that any future referendum would be held on a similar basis to the 2014 referendum, which saw voters reject independence by 55% to 45%. | It says that any future referendum would be held on a similar basis to the 2014 referendum, which saw voters reject independence by 55% to 45%. |
| Among the proposals are: | Among the proposals are: |
| The proposals have now gone out for a public consultation, which will run until 11 January next year. | The proposals have now gone out for a public consultation, which will run until 11 January next year. |
| But pro-union opposition parties have already argued that there is no appetite in Scotland for another "divisive" referendum, and have pledged to fight it "every step of the way". | But pro-union opposition parties have already argued that there is no appetite in Scotland for another "divisive" referendum, and have pledged to fight it "every step of the way". |
| Opinion polls | Opinion polls |
| Scotland voted by 62% to 38% to remain in the EU in June's referendum, but the UK as a whole voted to leave - with Ms Sturgeon immediately instructing Scottish government officials to start drawing up plans for a fresh vote on independence. | Scotland voted by 62% to 38% to remain in the EU in June's referendum, but the UK as a whole voted to leave - with Ms Sturgeon immediately instructing Scottish government officials to start drawing up plans for a fresh vote on independence. |
| However, opinion polls have suggested there has not been a major upsurge in support for independence since the Brexit vote, with a narrow majority still in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK. | However, opinion polls have suggested there has not been a major upsurge in support for independence since the Brexit vote, with a narrow majority still in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK. |
| Some senior SNP figures have cautioned Ms Sturgeon against "rushing into" another independence referendum before she could be certain of winning it. | Some senior SNP figures have cautioned Ms Sturgeon against "rushing into" another independence referendum before she could be certain of winning it. |
| In her foreward to the consultation document, Ms Sturgeon said the Brexit vote meant "Scotland is now faced with one of the specific scenarios in which this government pledged that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold an independence referendum". | In her foreward to the consultation document, Ms Sturgeon said the Brexit vote meant "Scotland is now faced with one of the specific scenarios in which this government pledged that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold an independence referendum". |
| She added: "This government remains willing to work with the UK government to negotiate a future relationship with Europe that is in line with the views of the overwhelming majority of the Scottish people and which works for the United Kingdom as a whole. | She added: "This government remains willing to work with the UK government to negotiate a future relationship with Europe that is in line with the views of the overwhelming majority of the Scottish people and which works for the United Kingdom as a whole. |
| "We will put forward constructive proposals that will both protect Scotland's interests and give an opportunity for the UK government to demonstrate that Scotland is indeed an equal partner. | "We will put forward constructive proposals that will both protect Scotland's interests and give an opportunity for the UK government to demonstrate that Scotland is indeed an equal partner. |
| "But if it becomes clear that it is only through independence that Scotland's interests can be protected, then the people of Scotland must have the ability to reconsider that question, and to do so before the UK leaves the EU." | "But if it becomes clear that it is only through independence that Scotland's interests can be protected, then the people of Scotland must have the ability to reconsider that question, and to do so before the UK leaves the EU." |
| Ms Sturgeon, who is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Monday, has said efforts to protect Scotland's place in Europe would intensify over the coming weeks. | Ms Sturgeon, who is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Monday, has said efforts to protect Scotland's place in Europe would intensify over the coming weeks. |
| She has said she will put forward specific proposals aimed at keeping Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves. | She has said she will put forward specific proposals aimed at keeping Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves. |
| And she will push for "substantial additional powers" for Holyrood as part of the UK's Article 50 negotiations, including over international deals with other nations and immigration. | And she will push for "substantial additional powers" for Holyrood as part of the UK's Article 50 negotiations, including over international deals with other nations and immigration. |
| Mrs May has said that all parts of the UK will leave the EU at the same time despite calls from the SNP for a separate arrangement to be agreed for Scotland. | Mrs May has said that all parts of the UK will leave the EU at the same time despite calls from the SNP for a separate arrangement to be agreed for Scotland. |
| But she has said she is "willing to listen to options" on Scotland's future relationship with the EU. | But she has said she is "willing to listen to options" on Scotland's future relationship with the EU. |
| Speaking ahead of the draft bill's publication, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said her party would fight proposals for a second referendum "every step of the way". | Speaking ahead of the draft bill's publication, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said her party would fight proposals for a second referendum "every step of the way". |
| She said: "Instead of using Brexit to further her own political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon should be working closely with the UK government to address the risks and explore the opportunities this decision creates for industries and sectors across Scotland. | She said: "Instead of using Brexit to further her own political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon should be working closely with the UK government to address the risks and explore the opportunities this decision creates for industries and sectors across Scotland. |
| "The fact that Nicola Sturgeon is desperately pushing for (a referendum) shows she has given up on being a first minister for all of Scotland in favour of championing her own separatist agenda." | "The fact that Nicola Sturgeon is desperately pushing for (a referendum) shows she has given up on being a first minister for all of Scotland in favour of championing her own separatist agenda." |
| Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Dave Anderson MP branded Ms Sturgeon's move "reckless", and said there would be "absolutely no support for a second independence referendum from Labour". | Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Dave Anderson MP branded Ms Sturgeon's move "reckless", and said there would be "absolutely no support for a second independence referendum from Labour". |
| He added: "It confirms that her (Ms Sturgeon's) priority is the politics of division, rather than focusing on much-needed improvements to Scotland's schools or hospitals. | He added: "It confirms that her (Ms Sturgeon's) priority is the politics of division, rather than focusing on much-needed improvements to Scotland's schools or hospitals. |
| "Our country is already divided following the Tories' Brexit gamble and a second referendum is the very last thing our fragile economy needs." | "Our country is already divided following the Tories' Brexit gamble and a second referendum is the very last thing our fragile economy needs." |