Scottish leader: New referendum ‘highly likely’

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 was a significant and material change in circumstance” from that which prevailed in 2014, 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 to have the discussions, not least to assess the response of the European Union to the vote that Scotland expressed on Thursday,” she said. “I am absolutely determined in my responsibility to give effect to how Scotland voted on Thursday.” 

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, and Sturgeon said that it was “democratically unacceptable” for it to have to be taken out of the EU against its will. She called for the Scottish government to be fully involved in all discussions between Britain and the EU and said she will seek direct negotiations with other European states with the aim of keeping Scotland in Europe.