THE row over a possible second Scottish referendum moved up a gear today after the UK Prime Minister ‘Theresa May’ ruled out any chances of it happening until after Brexit at least.
Scotland does not want to go back to the “division and uncertainty” of another referendum, Nicola Sturgeon was told today.
The First Minister set out proposals on Monday to seek the Scottish Parliament’s approval for a referendum to take place giving people the choice between a hard Brexit and an independent Scotland after the Brexit deal is clear but before it is too late to choose an alternative path.
At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the party would reject the proposals set out by the SNP on Monday.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“The Scottish Conservatives reject the proposals set out by the First Minister on Monday.
“A referendum cannot happen when the people of Scotland have not been given the opportunity to see how our new relationship with the European Union is working.
“And it should not take place when there is no clear political or public consent for it to happen.
“Our country does not want to go back to the divisions and uncertainty of the last few years.
“Another referendum campaign will not solve the challenges this country will face.
“We don’t want it. We don’t need it.”
Ms Sturgeon Scottish First Minister said today in response to comments from the Prime Minister
“As I set out earlier this week, we are not proposing a referendum now – we are proposing to give the people of Scotland a choice once Brexit is clear but before it is too late.
“The PM does not appear to have listened to our proposal.
“We will put our proposition, based firmly on this government’s democratic mandate, to the Scottish Parliament next week, and then we will put our formal proposals to the UK Government.
“If the Prime Minister refuses to engage on the terms of a referendum before Brexit takes place then she is effectively trying to block the people of Scotland having a choice over their future. That would be a democratic outrage.
“It is for the Scottish Parliament – not Downing Street – to determine the timing of a referendum, and the decision of the Scottish Parliament must be respected.
“It would be outrageous for the Scottish Parliament to be frozen out of the process.
“The Scottish Government has a cast-iron democratic mandate to offer people a choice and that mandate must be fulfilled.
“Any bid by the UK Government to block the people of Scotland from making a choice will be untenable, undemocratic and totally unsustainable – and clearly shows that the UK Government recognises it is out of step with the Scottish people.”
