The Scottish parliament on Tuesday backed a bid to hold a new
independence referendum in 2018 or 2019, but the British
government immediately rejected the proposal.
The stand-off further complicates the United Kingdom's political situation just as years of daunting negotiations on the terms of its exit from the European Union are about to begin.
The Brexit issue has strained ties between the UK's four constituent parts because England and Wales voted to leave the EU while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain.
Scottish National party MSP's applaud after the vote on a second referendum on independence on March 28, 2017. /CFP Photo
The Scottish legislature in Edinburgh voted by a majority of 69 to 59 to give First Minister Nicola Sturgeon a mandate to formally seek permission from the British parliament in London to prepare for a referendum in late 2018 or early 2019.
"The people of Scotland should have the right to choose between Brexit, possibly a very hard Brexit, or becoming an independent country able to chart our own course," Sturgeon said earlier in the chamber.
But the British government swiftly responded that it would refuse to enter into negotiations on Sturgeon's proposal. The details and legality of the previous independence referendum, held in 2014, were agreed upon by the British government.
"It would be unfair to the people of Scotland to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information about our future relationship with Europe, or what an independent Scotland would look like," it said in a statement. The UK government said it will block a referendum until after the Brexit process has been completed. Although writing for the BBC Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said: "in truth, an informal one is going to start and there is nothing she (Theresa May) can do about that."
British Prime Minister Theresa May (R) meets Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, following the announcement that Scotland is to hold a second Independence Referendum. /CFP Photo
Sturgeon has said the shape of the future Brexit deal should become clear between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, and the Scottish executive would also put forward a detailed plan by then for what independence would entail.
Scots voted against independence by 55 to 45 percent in 2014 but Sturgeon argues the Brexit vote changed circumstances and they should not be dragged out of the EU against their will.
Having won the vote in the Scottish assembly, Sturgeon said she would not seek discussions with London until after Article 50 was triggered because she recognized Wednesday was a momentous day and May should not be distracted.
(Source: Reuters)
