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In brief

SNP to “hold conversations” on independence with 50,000 Scots in one day as Brexit doubts do not

 
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Author: SNP
The Scottish National Party (SNP) will be mobilizing its members on 29 September to “hold conversations” on independence with 50,000 Scots. This is yet one more among a series of actions the party is carrying out to persuade the Scottish population to vote for independence in an proposed second referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon’s government is seeking to hold a second vote, which according to its plans should be called after details of the UK’s exit from the EU are known. Such details are not likely to be known before the beginning of 2019. The SNP believes that a bad agreement —or a non-agreement— between the UK and the EU on Brexit terms would potentially harm Scotland and, as a result, would favour the independence cause.

The UK government, however, at the moment rejects allowing the holding of a second referendum, 4 years after the first one was called.

Furthermore, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable is proposing that, should a second referendum be finally accepted, it will only be done on condition that another, confirmatory referendum on the terms of the separation between the UK and Scotland will subsequently be held.