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by Tom Freeman
29 May 2019
Second independence referendum plans to be laid before parliament

Michael Russell - Scottish Parliament

Second independence referendum plans to be laid before parliament

The Scottish Government is expected to put proposals for a second referendum on independence before parliament today. 

In a statement to MSPs, Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell will outline proposed legislation to put a referendum in place, even though the UK Government has yet to grant the power to do so. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will seek an agreement with whoever succeeds Theresa May as Prime Minister to hold the vote. 

The legislation will “set the rules for any referendum that is now or in the future within the competence of the Scottish Parliament,” she said. 

Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said: “It will come as no surprise to anybody in Scotland that Nicola Sturgeon has decided to use the EU elections to manufacture the case for a second independence referendum". 

He said: “No matter what people in Scotland say or do, the SNP's answer is always the same - to take us out of the UK. 

“At a time when we need to focus on the challenges on education, the economy, and public services, this proves that the SNP has become a waste of parliamentary space.” 

Pro-independence parties gather 45 per cent of the vote at last week’s EU parliament election, exactly the same level of support as the referendum in 2014. 

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