Scotland May Seek New Independence Referendum

The victory of May’s government in parliament on Monday, however, was marred by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlining plans to hold a second independence referendum – an indication of the obstacles that lie ahead. The party that delivered an unbelievably rushed, astoundingly dishonest and incredibly divisive European Union referendum campaign has the absolute gall to try to claim that a Scottish independence referendum shouldn’t happen because it would be “divisive”.

“One thing that would turn thousands of undecided Scots into Yes voters would be sight of arrogant extremist UK Government thwarting [a] section 30 order”.

“It’s now for the Scottish Parliament to decide whether an independence referendum should take place”.

“Complete. Utter. Piffle. UK Gov caught flat footed. Obvious Downing Street briefing, Sky news silly enough to repeat it”, Salmond quickly replied on Twitter.

Sturgeon has called for Scotland to be allowed to strike its own deal with the European Union but on Monday she said her efforts had hit a “brick wall” in London. He returned to frontline politics, this time at Westminster, as MP for Gordon in 2015. “I don’t think it would be right for the unelected chamber to frustrate the will of the House in that way”. “She needed to find an excuse, to find a reason to hold the referendum again, and she’s chosen Brexit”.

Late last year he insisted: “There can be no going back, the point of no return was passed on June 23 last year”.

May’s government has repeatedly made clear it does not believe there should be another vote after a first Scottish referendum in 2014 in which a majority voted against independence, and she has the power to block Sturgeon’s request.

Holyrood now has a narrow pro-independence majority, but Prime Minister Theresa May has so far avoided saying whether or not Westminster would give its permission for a vote to be held.

“What’s important is that the needs of Scotland – and the other devolved nations – are heard and understood in the discussions on the UK’s future relationship with Europe”. “As the Prime Minister has said, there must be no attempts to remain inside the European Union, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum”.

“What is more likely is that she will try and push a referendum vote to further down the road to, perhaps, after Brexit negotiations have concluded”.

The attitude has left SNP deputy leader and House of Commons leader Angus Robertson incensed.

Some Scottish officials are seeking a tailored deal under which Scotland could remain as part of the EU’s single market.

“We have two options”.

An aide at one department said last month there was a backlog at Mrs May’s office as her team scrutinises all departmental reports, leading some to question whether her team is ready for the talks which could soon get bogged down.

Johnson pointed out that Scotland would have to either reduce spending or increase taxes by more than £1,000 per person.