NICOLA Sturgeon has formally asked Theresa May to grant Holyrood the power to hold a second independence referendum, in line with a recent majority vote of MSPs.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Sturgeon said she felt frustrated that the voices of Holyrood and the other devolved administrations had been “largely ignored and all attempts at compromise rejected” ahead of the UK government triggering Article 50 on Wednesday.
Referring to Mrs May’s intention to withdraw the UK from the EU single market, the First Minister wrote: “That is not an outcome that the people of Scotland voted for. It is also an outcome that will have significant implications for our economy, society and place in the world.
“In these very changed circumstances, the people of Scotland must have the right to choose our own future - in short, to exercise our right of self determination.
“Indeed I noted the importance you attached to the principle of self determination in your [Article 50] letter to [European Council] President Tusk.”
The Scottish Government released a video on Twitter of the First Minister explaining why she is formally asking for a second independence referendum.
Watch First Minister @ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon on why she is formally asking for powers to hold a second independence referendum pic.twitter.com/rrg9ruxR6Q
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) 31 March 2017
Ms Sturgeon said earlier this month that she wanted to hold a second referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, to allow Scots to choose between Brexit in the UK and independence and a closer relationship with Europe.
Mrs May has already said she will refuse the request, or even discuss a second referendum, until after the Brexit talks are concluded, saying “now is not the time” for such a distraction.
Citing the 69 to 59 vote by the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday in favour of requesting referendum powers under Section 30 of the 1998 Scotland Act, Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to open “early discussions” between the UK and Scottish governments to agree the transfer.
Ms Sturgeon said she noted the Prime Minister’s statements on the issue, but added there appeared to be “no rational reason for you to stand in the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament and I hope you will not do so.
“However, in anticipation of your refusal to enter into discussions at this stage, it is important for me to be clear about my position.
“It is my firm view that the mandate of the Scottish Parliament must be respected and progressed. The question is not if, but how.
“I hope that will be by constructive discussion between our governments. However, if that is not yet possible, I will set out to the Scottish Parliament the steps I intend to take to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum.”
The First Minister also said the Scottish Government would play a “full and constructive role” in securing a good deal for the whole of the UK in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.
An SNP-commissioned poll this week found most Scots think Holyrood, not Westminster, should have the right to decide whether to hold a second referendum, according to a new poll.
The Survation survey, conducted after Mrs May ruled out a referendum for at least two years, found most Scots also thought London should not be allowed to block a new vote.
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