Brexit would mean independence referendum by 2021: Sturgeon

A new independence referendum should be held by 2021 if Brexit goes ahead, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today.

Outlining in the Scottish Parliament the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the debate on Scotland’s future in light of Brexit, the First Minister asserted that it was time to build consensus in place of a UK Government system that clearly does not work in Scotland’s interests, and in the face of a constitutional "status quo which is broken".

She announced that the Scottish Government will introduce a framework bill, setting the rules and principles for any referendum, to "protect the option of an independence referendum within this parliamentary term", though she accepted that actually holding a vote would require the transfer of power from Westminster via a section 30 order, as preceded the 2014 referendum – something Prime Minister Theresa May has so far refused to consider.

Ms Sturgeon also proposed cross-party talks to discuss which powers other parties believe should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament to enable it to better protect Scotland’s economic and social interests; and confirmed plans to establish a "Citizens’ Assembly" to bring together a representative cross-section of Scottish society under an independent chair and seek views on how best to equip Scotland’s Parliament for the challenges of the future, in light of Brexit.

She told the chamber: "Brexit has exposed a deep democratic deficit at the heart of how Scotland is governed. And – whatever our different views on independence – it should persuade all of us that we need a more solid foundation on which to build our future as a country.

"With all of our assets and talents, Scotland should be a thriving and driving force within Europe. Instead we face being forced to the margins – sidelined within a UK that is, itself, increasingly sidelined on the international stage. Independence, by contrast, would allow us to protect our place in Europe."

The First Minister added: "The immediate opportunity we now have is to help stop Brexit for the whole UK – and we should seize that opportunity. But if that cannot be achieved, dealing with the consequences of Brexit and facing up to its challenges will be unavoidable.

"I believe that the case for independence is stronger than ever. And I will make that case. But I know others take a different view. So, as we take the necessary legislative steps over the next few months, I will also seek to open up space for us to come together and find areas of agreement as mature politicians should.

"We have seen in Westminster what happens when parties fail to work together – when leaders take a ‘my way or the high way’ approach and when so many red lines and inflexible preconditions are set that progress becomes impossible."

The Scottish Parliament, she continued, had been established with the hope that it would be a new type of parliament, able to put the interests of the people first. "So if others across this chamber are willing to move forward in that spirit, they will find in me an equally willing partner."

In response, Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Jackson Carlaw described the First Minister's statement as "inherently divisive": "The only thought of the SNP, amplified today, is how to justify their plans to divide families, workplaces and communities."

He added that the last time a section 30 order was requested by Holyrood it had unanimous support, but that would not happen this time.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Mr Leonard argued that Ms Sturgeon was using the parliamentary platform as a party platform, "and thus devaluing the Parliament". There was no evidence that the people wanted a second independence referendum; and Brexit had "underlined the difficulties of leaving a political union".

Alison Johnstone for the Greens called for independence but with a more radical economic model than put forward by the SNP; but Willie Rennie for the Liberal Democrats asked how the First Minister's proposals for consensus could be taken seriously: "The last thing this country needs is more division and chaos that will surely come with another independence referendum."