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Indyref2 'framework' bill to be published at Holyrood Indyref2 'framework' bill published at Holyrood
(about 8 hours later)
Legislation paving the way for a new referendum on Scottish independence is to be published at Holyrood. Legislation which could pave the way for a new Scottish independence referendum has been tabled at Holyrood.
Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell will give a statement to MSPs on Wednesday afternoon on the "next steps on Scotland's future". The Scottish government wants to put the question of independence to a new public vote in the second half of 2020.
This will include details of the bill and of plans for a "citizens' assembly" to discuss Brexit and independence. However, the Referendums (Scotland) Bill does not set a date or question, with ministers seeking agreement with the UK government
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants a new vote to be held in the second half of 2020. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "now more than ever it is essential that we keep Scotland's options open".
However the "framework bill" will not set a date for such a referendum, with Ms Sturgeon committed to striking an agreement with the UK government before calling a vote. Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell will give a statement to MSPs on Wednesday afternoon about the bill and plans for a "citizens' assembly" to discuss Brexit and independence.
The Scottish Conservatives said the "latest stunt" was "all about Nicola Sturgeon pandering to her party, not speaking for the country".The Scottish Conservatives said the "latest stunt" was "all about Nicola Sturgeon pandering to her party, not speaking for the country".
Ms Sturgeon announced in April that she wanted a new independence referendum to happen before the end of the current Scottish Parliament term in 2021.Ms Sturgeon announced in April that she wanted a new independence referendum to happen before the end of the current Scottish Parliament term in 2021.
She told MSPs that she wants to secure a "Section 30 order" - an agreement similar to that underpinning the 2014 referendum - from the UK government before doing this, to put the vote "beyond doubt or challenge". She told MSPs that she wanted to secure a "Section 30 order" - an agreement similar to that underpinning the 2014 referendum - from the UK government before doing this, to put the vote "beyond doubt or challenge".
The UK government has so far rejected such an agreement, but Ms Sturgeon said the government would bring forward legislation to "set the rules for any referendum that is now or in the future within the competence of the Scottish Parliament". The UK government has so far rejected such an agreement, but Ms Sturgeon said she would bring forward legislation to "set the rules for any referendum that is now or in the future within the competence of the Scottish Parliament".
She wants the legislation to be passed by the end of this year, with a view to applying it specifically to a second independence referendum in the event a deal is struck with UK ministers.She wants the legislation to be passed by the end of this year, with a view to applying it specifically to a second independence referendum in the event a deal is struck with UK ministers.
If such an agreement is secured, then the question, date and referendum period could be added to the bill via secondary legislation.
The bill as it stands has been ruled within Holyrood's remit by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's statement, Ms Sturgeon said that "Scotland must have the chance to choose a better future than the one being offered by Westminster".Speaking ahead of Wednesday's statement, Ms Sturgeon said that "Scotland must have the chance to choose a better future than the one being offered by Westminster".
She said: "The Westminster political system is broken and has shown it cannot be trusted to acknowledge, far less protect or defend, our national interests. She added: "An independence referendum within this parliamentary term will give Scotland the opportunity to choose to be an independent European nation - rather than have a Brexit future imposed upon us.
"People living here must have the opportunity to choose a future for Scotland as an equal, independent European nation." "We will seek agreement to a transfer of power at an appropriate point to enable an independence referendum that is beyond challenge to be held later in this parliament.
Holyrood's pro-Union opposition parties hit out at the move. "It is essential the UK government recognises that it would be a democratic outrage if it seeks to block such a referendum - indeed, any such stance would, in my view, prove to be utterly unsustainable."
Holyrood's pro-Union opposition parties have hit out at the move.
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said it would "come as no surprise to anybody in Scotland that Nicola Sturgeon has decided to use the EU elections to manufacture the case for a second independence referendum".Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said it would "come as no surprise to anybody in Scotland that Nicola Sturgeon has decided to use the EU elections to manufacture the case for a second independence referendum".
He said: "No matter what people in Scotland say or do, the SNP's answer is always the same - to take us out of the UK.He said: "No matter what people in Scotland say or do, the SNP's answer is always the same - to take us out of the UK.
"At a time when we need to focus on the challenges on education, the economy, and public services, this proves that the SNP has become a waste of parliamentary space.""At a time when we need to focus on the challenges on education, the economy, and public services, this proves that the SNP has become a waste of parliamentary space."
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie added: "Not one patient will be seen quicker nor one school child get a better education as a result of Nicola Sturgeon's independence obsession. All it will do is damage our economy and hurt our public services."Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie added: "Not one patient will be seen quicker nor one school child get a better education as a result of Nicola Sturgeon's independence obsession. All it will do is damage our economy and hurt our public services."