Nicola Sturgeon, the current First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, has confirmed that she will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Speaking at Bute House ahead of an MP vote at Westminster about the Article 50 bill, which will trigger Britain’s exit from the European Union, Sturgeon confirmed that she will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence, stating that the benefits of staying in the United Kingdom post-Brexit are “significantly more challenging” than they were at the time of the first referendum in September 2014.
In the first referendum, 55% of the electorate voted to stay in the United Kingdom, with Sturgeon stating that a second referendum would likely take place between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019.
Sturgeon was also critical of the role of the British Government and Prime Minister Theresa May in their approach to the Brexit negotiations.
“To the frustration of some people in my party, I have been genuine and sincere about trying to reach a compromise agreement with the UK Government,” Sturgeon said.
“If Scotland can be ignored on an issue as important as the EU and the single market then it is clear that our voice can be ignored at any time and on any issue. We have not met with a Government and a Prime Minister who is willing to meet us half way on that … they have moved away from compromise with language that has appeared to become harder and harder” the First Minister added.
