The First Minister of Scotland told MSPs at Holyrood its “now seems inevitable” that the UK will leave the European Union by January 31 – as promised by the Prime Minister. After the Tories secured an 80-seat majority, the SNP leader said it is “now a matter of some urgency” to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence. The SNP claim the thumping election win north of the border – which saw the party win 48 out of the 59 seats in Scotland – has given the nationalists a mandate for another vote.
The SNP stood on an election manifesto to stop Brexit and Ms Sturgeon has said Britain leaving the bloc “poses a real danger” to the Scottish economy.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The hard, possibly no deal, Brexit favoured by the Prime Minister poses a real danger to our economy and to social and environmental safeguards, at a time when we must substantially step up our efforts to tackle climate change.
“Brexit will also put parts of our health service in the sights of US trade negotiators. It could mean, for example, that the NHS has to pay higher prices for drugs.
“And of course, Brexit is the cause of significant uncertainty and worry for our fellow EU citizens who contribute so much to modern Scotland.
“Scotland must respond to and seek to overcome these challenges.”
Scotland last held an independence referendum just five years ago, when 55 percent of Scots voted to remain part of the UK.
However, Ms Sturgeon said there has been a “material change of circumstances” since the last vote in 2014.
The SNP leader added: “There is a growing, cross-party recognition that election mandates should be honoured, that there has been a material change of circumstances and that the question of independence must be decided by the people and not by politicians.
“Given the nature of what we are facing in terms of UK governance, this is now a matter of some urgency – which is why this Government wants people to have a choice next year.”
Following the aftermath of the election result, the Prime Minister reiterated his opposition to another Scottish referendum in a phone call with the SNP leader.
On Monday afternoon, the SNP cranked up the pressure on Westminster to give in to its demands, after SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford marched 47 of his own MPs outside Parliament.
Mr Blackford pointed to the fact the SNP had crushed the Tory vote in Scotland and said the Prime Minister now “cannot stand in the way of the votes of the people of Scotland”.
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The First Minister added she plans to publish the “detailed democratic case” this week for powers to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament to hold another vote on the issue.
Under the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Parliament cannot pass legislation on matters “reserved” for Westminster, including the union.
