March 29, 2024

Nicola Sturgeon claims SNP is ‘WINNING’ battle to break up the UK

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Boris Johnson to REFUSE Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for new Scottish independence referendum despite SNP leader saying they are ‘WINNING’ battle to break up the UK

  • Nicola Sturgeon told SNP conference in Aberdeen it is ‘time for independence’
  • SNP leader said there was a ‘cast iron mandate’ for holding second referendum
  • She then said that the second independence vote must take place in 2020  
  • Ms Sturgeon also launched repeated attacks on Boris Johnson’s Brexit policy 
  • Scottish First Minister said a No Deal split would be ‘unthinkable’ and ‘disastrous’ 

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline and John Stevens, Deputy Political Editor, For The Daily Mail

Published: 10:46 EDT, 15 October 2019 | Updated: 22:44 EDT, 15 October 2019

Nicola Sturgeon today issued a fresh rallying cry for Scottish independence as she claimed the SNP is ‘winning the case’ for a split from the rest of the UK. 

The Scottish First Minister told activists at the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen that ‘it is time to take charge of our own future’ as she claimed there was a ‘cast iron mandate’ for a second referendum. 

She then reiterated her demand for a second vote on independence to take place next year. 

But Downing Street said it would refuse to consider a request because ‘the Government is absolutely committed to upholding the result of Scotland’s once-in-a-generation referendum [in 2014]’. 

Ms Sturgeon also used her address to launch a series of attacks on Boris Johnson’s ‘disastrous’ Brexit strategy as she insisted that a No Deal divorce from the EU was ‘unthinkable’. 

The SNP’s bid to secure Scottish independence failed in 2014 as voters backed staying part of the UK by 55 per cent to 45 per cent. 

But Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly called for a re-run of the poll and believes that the 2016 Brexit referendum when Scotland voted to Remain in the EU could shift the result in her favour.  

Nicola Sturgeon today told SNP activists in Aberdeen today that they are ‘winning the case for independence’

The Scottish First Minister insisted a second independence referendum ‘must happen next year’

She said: ‘These can seem like dark times. But there is light and there is always hope. Progressive values are being fought for in Europe. 

‘Young people are taking a stand for their future. And for Scotland, the hope lies in becoming an independent nation. 

‘Be in no doubt about this. We are winning the case for independence.’

She added: ‘We won’t take it anymore. We shouldn’t take it anymore. It is time to take charge of our own future. It is time for independence.’ 

Ms Sturgeon claimed the SNP would secure Scottish independence by ‘inspiring and persuading’ people rather than through the ‘Brexit way’ of ‘undermining democracy’ and ‘demonising those who disagree’.

Attacking Mr Johnson’s Brexit plan, Ms Sturgeon said that any form of leaving the EU would be a ‘disaster’ as she accused the PM of caring ‘nothing for the human consequences of his disastrous’ divorce policy. 

‘We don’t yet know whether the UK will leave with a deal or without,’ she said. 

‘But we do know that neither of these outcomes is in Scotland’s interests. A no deal Brexit is unthinkable. 

‘And for the Scottish Tories in particular to back such an outcome is simply unforgivable.’  

She also claimed Brexit had illustrated the ‘Westminster system is… broken utterly beyond repair’ because Scotland voted to Remain but is now on course to be taken out of the EU against its will.  

Ms Sturgeon said that illustrated why Scotland should be allowed to vote again on whether or not to become an independent nation. 

‘We have a cast iron mandate for an independence referendum,’ she said. 

‘That fact is beyond doubt. But we don’t just have a right to offer the people of Scotland a choice over their future. 

‘In the circumstances now Scotland faces, we have a duty to do so. And it is what we intend to do.’

Ms Sturgeon said another referendum on independence ‘must happen next year’ as she outlined her plan to try to force the UK government to give her permission to hold another vote. 

Ms Sturgeon claimed the SNP had a ‘cast iron mandate’ for a second independence referendum because of Brexit

‘I can confirm today that before the end of this year, I will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt,’ she said. 

‘And when I do, the question should not be to the SNP – what will we do if Westminster refuses? The question should be demanded of the Westminster parties – what gives you any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?’ 

She said that any refusal in Westminster to hold a second vote would not be ‘sustainable’ and that when Scotland is asked the independence question again it ‘will choose independence’. 

Ms Sturgeon also moved to try to dismiss arguments against Scottish independence as she insisted the country could prosper if it goes it alone. 

‘Scotland’s national income is higher per head than countries like France, Japan and New Zealand,’ she said. 

‘So do not ever let anyone tell you that Scotland is not rich enough to be independent, because we most certainly are.’

She concluded her speech by telling the SNP faithful: ‘The world is waiting for us. Let’s win our nation’s independence.’

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