The mounting storm over a second Brexit referendum heads to Aberdeen today as the SNP gathers for its spring conference.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives in the Granite City to rally some 2,500 nationalist troops behind her push for a fresh say on whether Scotland remains in the United Kingdom.
Her call for a vote between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 has been roundly dismissed by Theresa May who yesterday declared: “now is not the time”.
It is less than three years since the country said no to independence in what was then described by the SNP as “once in a lifetime” event.
The Prime Minister insists the country must focus first on securing the best possible Brexit deal – the event Ms Sturgeon says justifies reopening the question.
Any move by Westminster to block her plans – expected to be approved next week by the Scottish Parliament – would be a “democratic outrage”, the SNP leader said.
“It is an argument for independence really in a nutshell, that Westminster thinks it has got the right to block the democratically elected mandate of the Scottish government and the majority in the Scottish Parliament,” she went on last night.
“You know history may look back on today and see it as the day the fate of the union was sealed.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Scotland must not be “denied the right to choose and allow a hard Brexit to be imposed against our will”.
The Aberdeen conference was taking place “at a time when Scotland is approaching a hugely important crossroads”, he said.
Amid some confusion over the SNP’s commitment to keeping Scotland in the EU post-independence, Mr Swinney said: “We have made clear that before people make a choice on Scotland’s future we will set out the challenges and opportunities of independence.”
While the conference will be dominated by the independence issue, Mr Swinney said the event would also highlight the SNP’s key priorities “education, the economy and our public services” as the party gears up for local government elections taking place in May.
“Every SNP vote will be a vote to protect these vital services we all depend on.
“All our candidates are dedicated local campaigners and believe passionately in protecting local services from these Tory cuts.
“The SNP is standing up for Scotland – will always stand up for Scotland – and will work every day to build a better country,” he said.
