Here we go again.
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party, has announced that the process to instigate a second reference on the independence of Scotland will commence next week.
The first ‘IndyRef’ took place on September 18, 2014, with the question: ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ The ‘No’ side won, with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence, and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the introduction of universal suffrage.
Since then, ‘Yes’ voters have continued to campaign for a break away from the UK, and last year’s EU Referendum which was in favour of ‘Brexit’ has complicated the matter further. Many Scots do not want to leave the EU and feel that this major development should be a factor in Scottish people deciding their future – either as part of the UK or part of the EU.
Sturgeon has stated that a “choice must be offered between autumn next year, 2018, and spring of 2019”. The EU would need to clarify whether Scottish Independence would mean they simply remain within the EU, or seamlessly re-enter.
.@NicolaSturgeon announces she will next week in Scottish Parliament start process for 2nd referendum on Scottish independence
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) March 13, 2017
#Breaking Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she plans to trigger another independence referendum pic.twitter.com/w0syvtp6g4
— PA Media (@PA) March 13, 2017
UK Govt guidance on Section 30: Scottish Government can initiate, but must pass through Commons and Lords as well as Holyrood pic.twitter.com/RxiIlx0n6E
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) March 13, 2017
Section 30 meets Article 50
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) March 13, 2017
