British PM does not rule out second independence referendum but says vote would have to take place after Brexit

Theresa May has said now is not the time for a second Scottish independence referendum, while the government puts “all its energies” into negotiating Brexit.

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Nicola Sturgeon stunned Downing Street on Monday by announcing she would seek to call a vote before Britain leaves the EU. She suggested it should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

May gave her formal response in a television interview, in which she did not rule out a referendum but rejected Sturgeon’s timing. She suggested if a vote was held it would it would have to take place after Brexit.

Sturgeon responded by calling the prime minister’s decision undemocratic and “proof positive that the Tories fear the verdict of the Scottish people”.

With article 50, which starts the two-year process for leaving the EU, due to be triggered by the end of this month, May said the UK should be “working together, not pulling apart”.



“As we embark on the process of negotiating a new relationship with the European Union, I’m going to be fighting for every person, every family, every business across the whole of the United Kingdom. That’s my focus, and I think it should be the focus of us all,” she said.

“When the SNP government say that it’s the time to start talking about a new independence referendum, I say that just at this point, all our energies should be focused on our negotiations with the European Union about our future relationship.”

Efforts should be focused on “ensuring we get that right deal for the UK and the right deal for Scotland in our negotiations with the European Union”, May said.

“That’s my job as prime minister. Right now we should be working together, not pulling apart,” she continued, adding: “And so, for that reason, I say to the SNP, now is not the time.”

Asked whether this meant she was ruling out any independence referendum before a 2020 general election, May did not clarify this, saying only: “I’m responding to the proposal that’s been put forward by the first minister. I say now is not the time.”

“To look at the issue at this time would be unfair, because people wouldn’t have the necessary information to make such a crucial decision.

Asked when might be the right time for a referendum, May replied: “Now is not the time for the reasons I have said.”

In a series of tweets, Sturgeon said May seemed to be trying to stop Scots having a voice on their future before Brexit happened.

The Scottish government was not proposing an immediate referendum but “when the terms of Brexit clear and before it is too late to choose an alternative path”, she wrote, saying action was needed now to ensure that timetable.

Sturgeon tweeted:

Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) 4/4 this would be undemocratic given @scotgov clear mandate and also proof positive that the Tories fear the verdict of the Scottish people.

On Monday, Sturgeon said she would ask the Scottish parliament to back a formal request to the government for a new referendum to be held, between autumn 2018 and spring of 2019.

The SNP argues that its timetable would allow the Scottish people, who voted to remain in the EU, to make their own decision about the future. But Downing Street believes Sturgeon is an opportunist, seeking to capitalise on the destabilising impact of the Brexit talks.

The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, said Sturgeon’s planned timetable would be too soon for voters to know the outlines of the deal.

“The Scottish Conservatives reject the proposals set out by the first minister on Monday. A referendum cannot happen when the people of Scotland have not been given the opportunity to see how our new relationship with the European Union is working.

“And it should not take place when there is no clear political or public consent for it to happen. Our country does not want to go back to the divisions and uncertainty of the last few years.”

Speaking in Holyrood at first minister’s questions earlier, Sturgeon said: “I will be arguing for this country to be in charge of its own finances and its own future, to build a stronger society and a stronger economy.”

She also rejected attacks by the Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, on the potential economic and public spending costs of independence, with a £9bn projected deficit for 2019.

May’s decision to reject Sturgeon’s timetable also puts the UK government and Tories on a direct collision course with the Scottish parliament, which is expected to vote narrowly in favour of Sturgeon’s demands next week.

Holyrood is to stage a two-day debate and then a vote on Wednesday on endorsing the first minister’s timetable. The Scottish National party is one seat short of a majority and will need the pro-independence Scottish Green party’s backing, against the opposition of the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems.

Sturgeon is certain to use that victory to accuse May of thwarting Scotland’s will. Her opponents point out there is no evidence Scottish voters want a new referendum before Brexit, and that up to 20% of yes voters do not want EU membership for Scotland.

May’s surprise announcement came as her two most senior aides – Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, her joint chiefs of staff – arrived in Edinburgh for private strategy meetings in Edinburgh with Davidson and David Mundell to plot the Tories’ hawkish rejection of Sturgeon’s proposals.