Theresa May has been told she has just weeks to prove she is prepared to compromise over Brexit or risk a snap independence referendum.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon dangled the prospect of calling a second plebiscite on separation as early as March as she insisted the prime minister is “running out of time” to “meet in the middle” for an agreed approach to leaving the EU.
Speaking after yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee, Ms Sturgeon said she “remained to be convinced” that her government’s proposals were being taken seriously.
She added: “I came here determined to find some grounds for compromise, some way of trying to square the circle of the UK-wide vote to leave and the Scottish vote to remain, but I also came with a very direct message to the UK Government, that so far the compromise or the attempts at compromise have come only from the Scottish Government.
“There has been no willingness to meet in the middle on the part of the UK Government.
“In terms of me getting a sense of whether Scotland is going to be listened to at all, that period between now and triggering of Article 50 is absolutely crucial.
“The next few weeks are not going to resolve every issue of Brexit, but in terms of me being able to judge whether Scotland’s voice is going to be heard at all in this process, the next few weeks are very important.”
Asked if such a timescale could lead to her announcing another vote on independence by March, she added: “I’ll do what needs to be done to protect Scotland’s position.
“We are running out of time for this process. It can’t go on indefinitely and it won’t go on indefinitely.
“This is one of the last key opportunities for me to make clear to the prime minister that I have to see some movement on her part, and over the next few weeks she has got the opportunity to demonstrate whether that movement is going to be forthcoming.”
Leaders of the UK’s devolved administrations met Mrs May and Scottish Secretary David Mundell in Cardiff yesterday to discuss the approach to Brexit.
The meeting was held as new figures showed 61% of exports from Aberdeen go to the EU – leading to warnings a hard Brexit could “compound” the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry.
Mrs May has committed to fully involve Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the development of a UK-wide negotiating position for leaving the EU.
Mr Mundell confirmed “inter-governmental discussions” on proposals brought forward by the devolved administrations would be intensified.
He said: “The question is not about can there be differentiation (for Scotland), the question is whether Scotland would benefit from differentiation, and that’s what really has got to be at the heart of these intense discussions.
“Is it necessary to have a separate deal for Scotland, is the wish for a separate deal for Scotland driven by ideology or is it really based on economic fact and Scotland’s future needs?
“That is what we need to have a full and frank discussion about in the weeks ahead.”
