Sturgeon to Seek Second referendum

By: Laura Steiner

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is seeking permission to hold another referendum on Scottish independence.  The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) wants a second referendum sometime between the fall of 2018, and the spring of 2019.

This will coincide with the end of the U.K’s Brexit negotiations.  Sturgeon will ask Scottish Parliament to request a section 30 order from Westminster.  Section 30 refers to an order in council from Prime Minister Theresa May’s government.   “The tunnel vision that SNP has shown today is deeply regrettable,” May said in a BBC article.  Scotland voted 62% in favour of staying with the European Union during the Brexit referendum.

Some members of the European Union (E.U.) say Scotland will have to join the line-up.  According to media reports Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said his country wishes for things to stay the same.  “Spain supports the integrity of the United Kingdom and does not encourage secessions or divisions in any of the member states.  We prefer things to stay as they are,” he said.

Sturgeon sees her country at a crossroads.  She insists Scotland will have a choice.  “A choice of whether to follow the U.K. to a hard Brexit, or to become an independent country able to secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe,” she said.  There is no word yet on whether May will give permission.