NICOLA Sturgeon has said she has no plans to call a separate referendum on whether an independent Scotland should join the European Union.
The SNP leader said a “detailed prospectus” would be put to Scots ahead of any second independence referendum and said most people would want to be part of the EU again.
She was pressed on the issue as she launched the SNP manifesto for next month’s Holyrood election.
The SNP have announced their intention to hold indyref2 before the end of 2023. Asked if there would then be a referendum on joining the EU following that, Sturgeon told journalists: “That’s not my policy.”
She added: “Just as in 2014 when people had a detailed prospectus on which to base their vote, that is my intention for a future independence referendum too.”
The case for independence is “winning hearts and minds across Scotland almost every single day”, she added.
She said Prime Minister Boris Johnson is aware of this, as that is why he has so far blocked calls for another vote on the issue.
Sturgeon said if the election results in a majority of MSPs who support independence, the “power of democracy” means it will be impossible for the UK Government to continue to stop such a poll.
Former SNP MP Kenny MacAskill, who left the party recently to join the Alba Party, has claimed there is “no fact” in the First Minister’s claims that an SNP win would lead to the Prime Minister granting a Section 30 order.
But Sturgeon insisted: “If Scotland votes for a majority in this election of MSPs proposing an independence referendum, this is not about requesting anything from Boris Johnson, other than demanding he respects Scottish democracy.”
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