Glasgow : Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday it is “highly likely” Scotland will hold a second independence referendum because of Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union.
She said she will seek powers to hold a second vote because of her desire to keep Scotland in the European bloc. The popular leader said she was keeping a promise made by the Scottish National Party to consider a second independence vote “if there is a significant material change in circumstances,” such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will.’’
“I think an independence referendum is now highly likely, but I also think it’s important that we take time to consider all steps, and have the discussions, not the least to assess the response of the European Union to the vote that Scotland expressed,” she said.
An earlier referendum vote in 2014 saw independence rejected as Scottish voters chose to stay part of Britain. Sixty-two per cent of Scottish voters backed remaining in the EU.
Scotland could not stage a second referendum without consent from the UK Parliament. Pro-independence business leaders have also called on the Scottish government to begin talks with the EU to try to keep Scotland in.
