Nicola Sturgeon calls for general election in wake of Theresa May’s resignation The Scottish First Minister also repeated her demands for a Scottish independence referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has called for a general election to be held in the wake of Theresa May‘s resignation rather than another Conservative being “installed” in Downing Street.

The First Minister also repeated her demand for the UK Government to allow a second referendum on Scottish independence, which the Prime Minister rejected throughout her time in office.

“I wish Theresa May well. She and I had profound disagreements – not least on her handling of Brexit and her disregard for Scotland’s interests,” the SNP leader said.

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“However, leadership is tough – especially in these times – and she deserves thanks for her service.

“Her departure will not solve the Brexit mess that the Tories have created. Only putting the matter back to the people can do that.

“Given current circumstances, it also feels deeply wrong for another Tory to be installed in Number 10 without a General Election.”

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She continued: “The prospect of an even more hardline Brexiteer now becoming PM and threatening a no deal exit is deeply concerning.

“Added to the experience of the past three years, this makes it all the more important that Scotland is given the choice of becoming an independent country.”

The SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mrs May had left “chaos” in her wake and echoed Ms Sturgeon’s independence demand. “There is another way. Indy,” he wrote on Twitter.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson paid tribute to Mrs May, and also used the opportunity to send a message to those in her party hoping to replace her.

“The party will now elect a new leader over the coming weeks,” she said.

“As leader of the Scottish Conservatives, I want to see candidates show that same level of commitment to Scotland’s place in the Union, an ability to advance our interests at home and abroad and, crucially, demonstrate how they intend to bring our country back together after the divisions sown by two constitutional referenda.”

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