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Sturgeon tells May: 'no rational reason' to block Scottish referendum Sturgeon tells May: 'no rational reason' to block Scottish referendum
(about 1 hour later)
Nicola Sturgeon has told Theresa May there is “no rational reason” to block the Scottish government’s request for a fresh independence referendum in her official letter to the prime minister.Nicola Sturgeon has told Theresa May there is “no rational reason” to block the Scottish government’s request for a fresh independence referendum in her official letter to the prime minister.
In the message seeking powers to stage that vote, Sturgeon said agreeing a deal on a referendum should be “a relatively straightforward process” given both governments had already gone through it. In the message seeking powers to stage that vote, Sturgeon said agreeing a deal on a referendum should be “a relatively straightforward process” given that both governments had already gone through it.
Citing a Scottish parliamentary vote on Tuesday to back her request for those powers, Sturgeon said she had a clear mandate to pursue a referendum based on long Scottish traditions of “popular sovereignty”. Citing a Scottish parliamentary vote on Tuesday to back her request for those powers, Sturgeon said she had a clear mandate to pursue a referendum based on Scottish traditions of “popular sovereignty”.
Predicting May would again refuse to agree, Sturgeon warned she would set out a new strategy to secure that referendum after the Easter holidays – despite the UK government’s opposition. Predicting May would again refuse to agree, Sturgeon warned she would set out a new strategy to secure that referendum after Easter, despite the UK government’s opposition.
“It is my firm view that the mandate of the Scottish parliament must be respected and progressed. The question is not if, but how,” Sturgeon wrote.“It is my firm view that the mandate of the Scottish parliament must be respected and progressed. The question is not if, but how,” Sturgeon wrote.
“I hope that will be by constructive discussion between our governments. However, if that is not yet possible, I will set out to the Scottish parliament the steps I intend to take to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum.”“I hope that will be by constructive discussion between our governments. However, if that is not yet possible, I will set out to the Scottish parliament the steps I intend to take to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum.”
Sturgeon softened her stance on the timing of a referendum, suggesting it could take place later in 2019 than originally suggested, and hinting that she would be willing to negotiate further on its timing.
In contrast to her combative speech earlier this month demanding the powers to call a referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, Sturgeon told May she would delay staging it if the prime minister’s timetable for Brexit changed, or if more time were needed to make its terms clear.
Sturgeon wrote: “If the timetable you have set out changes, we will require to consider the implications for the timing of a referendum. However, it seems reasonable at this stage to work on the basis of your stated timetable.
“We are also in agreement that – unlike the EU referendum – the choice must be an informed one. That means that both the terms of Brexit and the implications and opportunities of independence must be clear in advance of the referendum.”
Sturgeon insisted, too, that the Scottish government would play “a full and constructive role in securing” the best possible Brexit deal for the UK, even though Scottish voters did not vote last June to leave the EU.
That risked contradicting warnings from her spokesman on Thursday that Sturgeon could refuse to support the Brexit legislation if she believed Westminster was failing to pass on the right EU powers to Holyrood.
In a short video posted on the Scottish government’s Twitter feed 25 minutes before her letter was published, the first minister took a conciliatory tone urging yes and no voters to back her case for a referendum.In a short video posted on the Scottish government’s Twitter feed 25 minutes before her letter was published, the first minister took a conciliatory tone urging yes and no voters to back her case for a referendum.
Watch First Minister @ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon on why she is formally asking for powers to hold a second independence referendum pic.twitter.com/rrg9ruxR6QWatch First Minister @ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon on why she is formally asking for powers to hold a second independence referendum pic.twitter.com/rrg9ruxR6Q
Knowing that repeated opinion polls show only about 35% of voters agree with her plea for a referendum before Brexit and about 45% support independence, she argued there was a clear moral case for the referendum powers to be handed to Holyrood. Knowing that repeated opinion polls showed only about 35% of voters agreed with her plea for a referendum before Brexit and about 45% supported independence, she argued there was a clear moral case for the referendum powers to be handed to Holyrood.
In the video, she avoided repeating her demand for the vote to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, to coincide with the final phases of the UK’s divorce from the EU.In the video, she avoided repeating her demand for the vote to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, to coincide with the final phases of the UK’s divorce from the EU.
Sturgeon said: “I have today written to the UK government to ensure that we can make that choice when the time is right, to accept Brexit or instead become an independent country. I don’t take for granted how people would vote when that choice comes but I would hope we can all agree that the future of our country is our choice. Sturgeon said: “I have today written to the UK government to ensure that we can make that choice when the time is right, to accept Brexit or instead become an independent country. I don’t take for granted how people would vote when that choice comes, but I would hope we can all agree that the future of our country is our choice.
“Now the prime minister has indicated that she intends to ignore the will of the Scottish parliament and seek to prevent the people of Scotland having that choice; if the Westminster government continues to hold line it will go against the very foundations of devolution. So I hope that the prime minister changes her mind and acknowledges that the people of Scotland are entitled to a choice at a time and in a way that is right for Scotland.” “Now the prime minister has indicated that she intends to ignore the will of the Scottish parliament and seek to prevent the people of Scotland having that choice; if the Westminster government continues to hold that line it will go against the very foundations of devolution. So I hope that the prime minister changes her mind and acknowledges that the people of Scotland are entitled to a choice at a time and in a way that is right for Scotland.”
Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, said Sturgeon’s push for the referendum would dismay voters and was not based on popular sovereignty. “There is absolutely no evidence that another divisive referendum is the will of the people of Scotland,” she said.
“We need the SNP government to get on with the job of governing. That means focusing on jobs, growing the economy and helping family incomes.
“Holding another referendum on leaving the UK is the wrong thing to do for Scotland’s economy, especially when there is so much economic uncertainty from the Tories’ reckless plans for a hard Brexit.”