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Scottish independence: Sturgeon wants indyref2 by 2021 Scottish independence: Sturgeon wants indyref2 by 2021
(32 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence by 2021 if the country is taken out of the EU.Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence by 2021 if the country is taken out of the EU.
The first minister told Holyrood that she would introduce legislation soon to set the rules for another vote.The first minister told Holyrood that she would introduce legislation soon to set the rules for another vote.
But she indicated that she would need the agreement of the UK government before actually holding a referendum.But she indicated that she would need the agreement of the UK government before actually holding a referendum.
Downing Street has previously said it will not grant a new Section 30 order, which underpinned the 2014 referendum.Downing Street has previously said it will not grant a new Section 30 order, which underpinned the 2014 referendum.
But Ms Sturgeon said this position was "unsustainable" and challenged her party to increase support and demand for independence. Ms Sturgeon said this position was "unsustainable" and challenged her party to increase support and demand for independence.
She told MSPs: "A choice between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an independent European nation should be offered in the lifetime of this parliament.She told MSPs: "A choice between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an independent European nation should be offered in the lifetime of this parliament.
"I can confirm that the Scottish government will act to ensure that the option of giving people a choice on independence later in this term of parliament is progressed.""I can confirm that the Scottish government will act to ensure that the option of giving people a choice on independence later in this term of parliament is progressed."
The next Scottish Parliament election is due to be held in 2021.The next Scottish Parliament election is due to be held in 2021.
Ms Sturgeon said she hoped legislation for a referendum will be in place by the end of this year, which would allow a vote to be held once a Section 30 order is granted by the UK government.Ms Sturgeon said she hoped legislation for a referendum will be in place by the end of this year, which would allow a vote to be held once a Section 30 order is granted by the UK government.
She insisted: "If we are successful in further growing the support and the demand for independence, then no UK government will be able to stop the will of the people or stop that will being expressed."She insisted: "If we are successful in further growing the support and the demand for independence, then no UK government will be able to stop the will of the people or stop that will being expressed."
The first minister added: "The immediate opportunity we now have is to help stop Brexit for the whole UK - and we should seize that opportunity. But if that cannot be achieved, dealing with the consequences of Brexit and facing up to its challenges will be unavoidable. The first minister extended an invitation to other parties, including those opposed to independence, to come forward for their own proposals for Scotland's constitutional future.
She said: "The immediate opportunity we now have is to help stop Brexit for the whole UK - and we should seize that opportunity. But if that cannot be achieved, dealing with the consequences of Brexit and facing up to its challenges will be unavoidable.
"I believe that the case for independence is stronger than ever. I will make that case, but I know others take a different view."I believe that the case for independence is stronger than ever. I will make that case, but I know others take a different view.
"So, as we take the necessary legislative steps over the next few months, I will also seek to open up space for us to come together and find areas of agreement as mature politicians should.""So, as we take the necessary legislative steps over the next few months, I will also seek to open up space for us to come together and find areas of agreement as mature politicians should."
But she warned that if the only alternative was a "failed and damaging status quo", then "the process of change will pass them by and support for independence will grow". But she warned that if the only alternative presented by opposition politicians was a "failed and damaging status quo", then "the process of change will pass them by and support for independence will grow".
Analysis by Scotland correspondent Sarah Smith Analysis by Sarah Smith, Scotland editor
Nicola Sturgeon knows that the Westminster government will almost certainly refuse to allow another referendum within the next two year - so she needs to find a way to keep the constitutional argument alive while there is little prospect of an imminent vote.Nicola Sturgeon knows that the Westminster government will almost certainly refuse to allow another referendum within the next two year - so she needs to find a way to keep the constitutional argument alive while there is little prospect of an imminent vote.
The SNP know that by proposing another referendum they will be accused by those who do not support independence of introducing a divisive political issue at the worst possible time.The SNP know that by proposing another referendum they will be accused by those who do not support independence of introducing a divisive political issue at the worst possible time.
So the first minister is challenging other parties who do not support Scottish independence to come forward with their own ideas for constitutional change, promising that the SNP will engage fully and in good faith.So the first minister is challenging other parties who do not support Scottish independence to come forward with their own ideas for constitutional change, promising that the SNP will engage fully and in good faith.
Ms Sturgeon is very deliberately talking of trying to find compromise and consensus amongst politicians - saying Scotland can do things differently from Westminster.Ms Sturgeon is very deliberately talking of trying to find compromise and consensus amongst politicians - saying Scotland can do things differently from Westminster.
It is an appeal that is clearly meant to reach beyond other party leaders and straight to voters who may not welcome independence, but might well appreciate the approach the first minister is proposing.It is an appeal that is clearly meant to reach beyond other party leaders and straight to voters who may not welcome independence, but might well appreciate the approach the first minister is proposing.
The first minister also announced plans to establish a Citizens Assembly to consider Scotland's future, which she said had been done in Ireland to "help find consensus on issues where people have sharply divided opinions".The first minister also announced plans to establish a Citizens Assembly to consider Scotland's future, which she said had been done in Ireland to "help find consensus on issues where people have sharply divided opinions".
She said this would bring together a representative cross-section of Scotland with an independent chair, and be tasked with considering:She said this would bring together a representative cross-section of Scotland with an independent chair, and be tasked with considering:
Ms Sturgeon initially called for a second independence referendum after the Brexit vote in 2016, but put her plans on hold after the SNP lost 21 seats in the general election the following year. Scotland rejected independence by 55% to 45% in the 2014 referendum - with opinion polls suggesting support for independence remains largely unchanged five years later.
Ms Sturgeon initially called for a second referendum after the Brexit vote in 2016, but put her plans on hold after the SNP lost 21 seats in the general election the following year.
A Number 10 spokesman said on Tuesday that Theresa May's stance on the issue of a second independence referendum "has not changed" - with the prime minister having previously made clear her opposition.A Number 10 spokesman said on Tuesday that Theresa May's stance on the issue of a second independence referendum "has not changed" - with the prime minister having previously made clear her opposition.
Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said Ms Sturgeon's latest statement was "inherently divisive" and "not what the majority of Scotland want". Speaking after Ms Sturgeon's statement, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said people in Scotland had "voted decisively in 2014 to remain part of the UK, on a promise that the referendum would settle the issue for a generation".
He added: "Astonishingly, the way Nicola Sturgeon thinks we can come together is for Scotland to be plunged into another divisive referendum within the next 18 months. He added: "Instead of respecting that result, Nicola Sturgeon continues to press for divisive constitutional change when it is clear that most people in Scotland do not want another independence referendum. The UK government will stand up for them.
"The SNP's plan is clearly to divide families, workplaces and communities all over again, and for the foreseeable future." "Nicola Sturgeon needs to listen to the views of the Scottish people and concentrate on improving Scotland's economy and schools, not continually trying to orchestrate upheaval and division."