NICOLA Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum is “almost inevitable” if the UK pulls out of Europe against the wishes of the Scottish people.
In what are her clearest comments on the issue to date, the First Minister said the “democratic outrage” of Scotland being taken out of Europe against its will would trigger another vote on Scottish self-determination.
Discussing the potential impact of the referendum on the UK’s European Union membership on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday, the SNP leader put the case unequivocally. “The democratic outrage of being taken out of Europe against our will, I think, would make that almost inevitable,” she said.
Her comments came days after the Conservative leader of the Commons, Chris Grayling, accused Sturgeon of bluffing in previous remarks on the subject.
David Cameron has promised the vote on whether the UK should remain in Europe will take place by the end of 2017, but many believe it will happen earlier.
The Prime Minister is currently negotiating a package of EU reforms with other European leaders, with speculation he could hold an in-out vote as early as June if a deal can be agreed at the February European Council.
Sturgeon said that timing would be a “mistake” and would also be “disrespectful” to Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and London mayoral elections, taking place in May.
She added: “I think it would be better for David Cameron – if he does get a deal at the February European Council – to leave more time between that deal and the point of decision.
"One of the big problems I see for the 'In' campaign at the moment is that as far as David Cameron is concerned it is very much focused on these narrow issues of renegotiation, when in actual fact if the 'In' campaign is going to prevail, this is going to have to become a positive, in principle campaign about why it is better for the UK to stay within the European Union.”
She also said there was “some distance still to travel” in negotiations over new funding arrangements for the Scottish Government in light of the Scotland Bill, which is currently going through Westminster and is set to transfer income tax powers and new responsibilities over welfare to Scotland from April 2017.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, commenting on the prospect of a second poll on independence, said Sturgeon's comments made it "clear the SNP is looking for any excuse to take us back to another referendum”.
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