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Scottish independence: Sturgeon says Holyrood 'must shape' plans for vote Scottish independence: Sturgeon says Holyrood 'must shape' plans for vote
(35 minutes later)
Plans for a second independence referendum "must be made in Scotland", Nicola Sturgeon has said.Plans for a second independence referendum "must be made in Scotland", Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking after a meeting of her cabinet, the first minister said details of the vote should be shaped by the Scottish Parliament.Speaking after a meeting of her cabinet, the first minister said details of the vote should be shaped by the Scottish Parliament.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is considering how to respond to the demand for a referendum.UK Prime Minister Theresa May is considering how to respond to the demand for a referendum.
There has been speculation she will seek to delay the vote until after the Brexit process is complete.There has been speculation she will seek to delay the vote until after the Brexit process is complete.
Speaking after the cabinet meeting in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon said there should be no "blocking mechanisms".Speaking after the cabinet meeting in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon said there should be no "blocking mechanisms".
She said ministers had agreed that the referendum "must be for Scotland's national legislature to shape".She said ministers had agreed that the referendum "must be for Scotland's national legislature to shape".
She added: "It should be up to the Scottish Parliament to determine the referendum's timing, franchise and the question.She added: "It should be up to the Scottish Parliament to determine the referendum's timing, franchise and the question.
"There should be no strings attached, no blocking mechanisms applied and no Downing Street diktat - Scotland's referendum must be made in Scotland."There should be no strings attached, no blocking mechanisms applied and no Downing Street diktat - Scotland's referendum must be made in Scotland.
"That was the exact description the UK government themselves used ahead of the 2014 referendum, and the same principle should apply now.""That was the exact description the UK government themselves used ahead of the 2014 referendum, and the same principle should apply now."
The first minister said on Monday that she wanted a referendum to be held between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of the following year - and has called for Holyrood to be given the power to decide the exact date.
The BBC's Scotland editor, Sarah Smith, said the prime minister could refuse to allow another vote on independence before Brexit is completed in two years' time.
That would allow the UK government to avoid having to fight on two fronts by negotiating a deal with the EU in the midst of an intense independence referendum campaign.
Formal negotiations over the timing of any referendum will not begin until after a vote in the Scottish Parliament that is scheduled for next Tuesday, which will ask the UK government to grant a Section 30 order.
The order is needed for the result of the referendum to be legally binding.
The minority SNP government is expected to win the vote with the support of the pro-independence Scottish Greens.
Analysis by Prof John Curtice, Strathclyde UniversityAnalysis by Prof John Curtice, Strathclyde University
Two important questions arise from Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that she will seek a second independence referendum.Two important questions arise from Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that she will seek a second independence referendum.
First, do voters in Scotland want a second referendum? And second, how might they vote if an independence referendum were to be held any time soon?First, do voters in Scotland want a second referendum? And second, how might they vote if an independence referendum were to be held any time soon?
During recent months a number of polls have asked people in a variety of different ways whether there should be a second independence referendum within the next couple of years.During recent months a number of polls have asked people in a variety of different ways whether there should be a second independence referendum within the next couple of years.
They have all obtained much the same answer. Around a half say there should not be, while between a third and two-fifths say there should.They have all obtained much the same answer. Around a half say there should not be, while between a third and two-fifths say there should.
Read more from Prof CurticeRead more from Prof Curtice
SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson had earlier said that the prime minister should not try to block plans for a referendum. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Ms May said the UK government had been "working closely with the devolved administrations, including the Scottish government" on Brexit.
She said: "This is not a moment to play politics and create uncertainty - it's a moment to bring our country together, to honour the will of the British people and shape for them a better Britain."
Ms Sturgeon will seek Holyrood's backing for her independence referendum plan at the end of a two-day debate in the Scottish parliament next week.
The Scottish government said it would allow MSPs to debate the issue on Tuesday and Wednesday before putting it to a vote.
Ms Sturgeon wants parliament to give her the authority to ask Westminster for the power to hold another referendum.
A spokesman for the first minister said the Liberal Democrats had pressed for the second day of discussion.
The Scottish parliament's business bureau - which agrees Holyrood's agenda - is expected to approve the timetable.
The first minister said on Monday that she wanted a referendum to be held between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of the following year.
The BBC's Scotland editor, Sarah Smith, said the prime minister could refuse to allow another vote on independence before Brexit is completed in two years' time.
Legally binding
That would allow the UK government to avoid having to fight on two fronts by negotiating a deal with the EU in the midst of an intense independence referendum campaign.
Formal negotiations over the timing of any referendum will not begin until after the vote in the Scottish Parliament on asking the UK government to grant a Section 30 order.
The order is needed for the result of the referendum to be legally binding.
The minority SNP government is expected to win the vote with the support of the pro-independence Scottish Greens.
On Monday, SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson had earlier said that the prime minister should not try to block plans for a referendum.
He told the BBC's Newsnight programme that he did not want to "sit in the back of the Tory Brexit bus... and see the prime minister drive us off a Brexit cliff".He told the BBC's Newsnight programme that he did not want to "sit in the back of the Tory Brexit bus... and see the prime minister drive us off a Brexit cliff".
Mr Robertson said that the SNP was democratically elected on a mandate to hold a referendum in the event of the UK leaving the EU against Scotland's wishes.
He added: "I just cannot see how a democratically elected UK government will say to a democratically elected Scottish government, which was elected on a mandate to hold a referendum, 'one's not going to allow a democratic vote'.
He added: "We have two options. One is to sit in the back of the Tory Brexit bus, shut up, say nothing, and see the prime minister drive us off a Brexit cliff.
"Or we have the opportunity of the people of Scotland having the power in their hands in a referendum about our country's future."
The UK Parliament passed the Brexit bill on Monday evening, paving the way for the government to trigger Article 50, which will begin the formal process of leaving the European Union.The UK Parliament passed the Brexit bill on Monday evening, paving the way for the government to trigger Article 50, which will begin the formal process of leaving the European Union.
The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent and become law on Tuesday, which leaves Mrs May free to push the button on withdrawal talks - now expected in the last week of March.The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent and become law on Tuesday, which leaves Mrs May free to push the button on withdrawal talks - now expected in the last week of March.