No campaigners 'jeopardised' Scotland's place in EU, Nicola Sturgeon tells MSPs

Scotland's place in the European Union (EU) was “jeopardised” by campaigners who fought to keep Scotland in the UK, the First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon insisted that Scotland is “being taken out of the EU against our wishes”.

She told MSPs: “Contrary to the promises made by the No campaign before the 2014 independence referendum, staying in the UK hasn't safeguarded Scotland's place in Europe, it has jeopardised it.”

Ms Sturgeon is seeking Holyrood's backing to call for the power to stage a second independence referendum.

She wants another vote to take place between autumn next year and spring 2019, when she says there will be clarity over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said “now is not the time” for another ballot and has indicated the UK Government would reject the SNP's preferred timetable.

MSPs are debating a motion which asks them to mandate the Scottish Government to take forward discussions with the UK Government on the details of a section 30 order - the mechanism to transfer the legal powers for a vote.

Scottish Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians have already made clear they will seek to block another referendum.

The pro-independence Scottish Greens, who have six MSPs, will give the First Minister the support she needs for her motion to be passed on Wednesday afternoon following a two-day debate.

Ms Sturgeon said there is an “unquestionable democratic mandate” for a second independence referendum.

She said: “The suggest that an emphatic election victory on the basis of a clear manifesto commitment and a parliamentary majority on an issue does not provide a mandate begs the question what does? And it runs the real risk of undermining the democratic process.”

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government had tried to “square the UK-wide vote to leave the EU with the Scottish vote to remain” with its options paper for Scotland's place in the EU.

She said her administration's “compromise” proposals included keeping Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves and more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

“All of these efforts at compromise - each and every one - have been rejected,” she said.

“Indeed, there has been no meaningful attempt whatsoever by the UK Government to explore these options and find common ground.”

Ms Sturgeon continued: “The probability is that our exit taking us outside the single market will be on harder and harsher terms than most people, including many Leave voters, would have supported in the run-up to last June's referendum.

“The voice of this parliament has been ignored at every step of the way and far from any indication of new powers, we now face the prospect of the UK Government using Brexit to reserve for itself powers in areas that are currently devolved to this parliament.

“All of this raises fundamental questions for Scotland.

“If the UK Government can ignore this parliament on one of the most fundamental issues that the country faces, what meaning can ever be attached to the idea that the UK is a partnership of equals?”

Ms Sturgeon said Scotland was now facing a “fundamental” choice over what kind of country it wanted to be.

She said: “As a country, we can't avoid change. But we can choose what kind of change we want.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “The future of the people of Scotland should not be imposed upon us. It should be the choice of the people of Scotland”.

Asked by Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie how she could hold claim a mandate using the EU when she could not guarantee membership, the First Minister replied: “The SNP's position in favour on membership of the European Union is clear and it is longstanding, and what is beyond any doubt is that if we do not become independent, then that membership of the EU is ended because we are taken out against our will.”

On the key question of timing of the vote, Ms Sturgeon insisted this should be for Holyrood to decide, as it had done in the 2014 independence referendum.

She said: “That should be taken in the interests of the Scottish people having an informed choice, not what is convenient for any politician or party.”

On her timetable, Ms Sturgeon said: “Let me make this clear - if the UK Government disagrees with that timeframe, then they should set out a clear alternative and the rationale for it.

“As I have said in recent days, I am, within reason, happy to have that discussion to see if we can find common ground that I can then propose to this Parliament.”

The First Minister said it was “entirely legitimate” for the UK Government and other parties to “robustly” oppose independence.

“However, in the circumstances we now face, for the UK Government to stand in the way of Scotland even having a choice would be, in my view, wrong, unfair and utterly unsustainable.”

Ms Sturgeon insisted there was “no indication at all” that Westminster had listened to Holyrood on the issue of the EU.

“The UK Government is taking decisions entirely unilaterally that I and many others believe will be deeply damaging to our economy and standing in the world,” the First Minister said.

When considering if Scotland should follow the path set out by Westminster, she stressed: “The decision about the kind of country we are and the path we take can only be made by the people of Scotland.”

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the Scottish Government's number one priority is “separation not education” and called on the First Minister to “take responsibility”.

She referenced the First Minister's previous comments that having another referendum would not happen without a change in public opinion and said this had not occurred.

Ms Davidson said: “The people of Scotland don't want this and it won't wash to have a First Minister standing there, washing her hands, saying 'It's not me that's dragging us there, it's with a heavy heart, a big Tory did this and ran away'.

“It won't do, First Minister, take responsibility.”

Ms Davidson said polls indicated support for independence has not increased.

“Never mind though,” she said.

“In the SNP, you don't even need to acknowledge old promises, still less honour them.

“Instead, we are told today to forget about what was once said and instead submit to the SNP's will. Well, we don't. And we won't.”

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the Scottish Government's number one priority is “separation not education” and called on the First Minister to “take responsibility”.

She referenced the First Minister's previous comments that having another referendum would not happen without a change in public opinion and said this had not occurred.

Ms Davidson said: “The people of Scotland don't want this and it won't wash to have a First Minister standing there, washing her hands, saying 'It's not me that's dragging us there, it's with a heavy heart, a big Tory did this and ran away'.

“It won't do, First Minister, take responsibility.”

Ms Davidson said polls indicated support for independence has not increased.

“Never mind though,” she said.

“In the SNP, you don't even need to acknowledge old promises, still less honour them.

“Instead, we are told today to forget about what was once said and instead submit to the SNP's will. Well, we don't. And we won't.”

Ms Davidson contrasted the “bulldozer” approach of the SNP with that taken in the run-up to the 2014 referendum.

She said: “Under this First Minister, the SNP lost its majority with no clear pledge to hold a referendum.

“I'm sorry but 'believing' something 'should' happen if something else takes place might be many things, but it is not a clear mandate.

“Furthermore, the SNP wants to unilaterally decide on the rules and the timing of the referendum.

“We now know there is no agreement between the UK and Scottish governments on the prospect of this referendum.

“I remind the SNP today that they once described the last referendum, with the Edinburgh Agreement, with unanimous backing in this chamber, with 92% support across the public, as the 'gold standard' approach.

“This today, this is not the gold standard - it's a tinpot approach to the biggest decision we could ever be asked to make.”

Ms Davidson said that Scots had been “promised by this First Minister” that another vote on independence “wouldn't take place for a generation”.

The Tory leader insisted: “Most people in Scotland don't want another referendum any time soon, just three years after the last one.

“And most people in Scotland see the plain common sense in our own position.

“Brexit is going to be a major challenge for this country.

“None of us know how it will play out, none of us know how we will come through this and none of us know what impact there will be on our country.”

Ms Davidson said: “If a new referendum is to happen, it should come about by the will of the people and not be driven by party political advantage.”

She highlighted that the Scottish Government had taken no action on its five defeats on votes in the Scottish Parliament in six months, such as the vote to scrap the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

She said: “Why do they exclaim that the Westminster government should recognise votes in the Scottish Parliament when the Scottish Government does not do so?”

She added: “Presiding Officer, this referendum may be the First Minister's priority but it is not mine, nor that of my party.

“We say - let us focus on securing a new deal with Europe and let this Parliament focus on the issue we were elected to deliver on - better schools, a sustainable NHS, a growing economy and a strong Scotland as part of a strong United Kingdom.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said she would have preferred a two-day debate on education.

“But, instead, we are back talking about the only thing that has ever really mattered to the SNP,” she said.

“Nicola Sturgeon wakes up every single day thinking of ways to engineer another referendum.

“Because leaving the UK is the only thing that matters to her.

“It isn't improving education in Scotland.

“It isn't lifting children out of poverty.

“It's independence. That will always come first and it always has.”

“Brexit isn't the motivation for another referendum - it's just the latest excuse,” Ms Dugdale said.

She cited a series of parliamentary votes that had gone against the Scottish Government, including on fracking, the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

She said: “We have already heard from the First Minister about the need to respect the will of this Parliament.

“If only she'd respected the mandate given to government by this chamber before now.”

Ms Dugdale continued: “So, when this Parliament votes for another referendum - as it inevitably will thanks to the perpetual crutch the Greens provide - let's not pretend it reflects the will of the Scottish people. Because it doesn't.

“The people of Scotland do not want another divisive referendum.”

Ms Dugdale pledged: “The Labour Party will campaign with everything we have to remain in the UK. ''

She told MSPs: “I believe in the United Kingdom not as a symbol of past glories or purest ideology, but as a living, breathing union of nations that delivers for the people of Scotland.

“The pensioners, whose income is secured through a UK state pension and benefits system.

“The shipyard workers, who are in jobs because of UK defence contracts.

“The staff in East Kilbride, who deliver aid to some of the poorest countries in the world on behalf of us all.

“The schools that are built because of the extra money we receive by being in the UK.

“The NHS that we built together that is sustained because we pool and share our resources across the whole of Britain.”

Ms Dugdale said the UK would be “stronger together, more so than we could ever be apart”, and accused the SNP of wanting to “replace Tory austerity with turbo-charged austerity”.

She said: “It is not this union of nations which is intrinsically unjust or unfair, it's the actions of the powerful within it.

“Now, I hate what the Tories are doing to Britain. I've never felt anger like it.

“Their austerity programme is destroying public services that we all value and the poorest rely on.

“But the SNP cannot escape from the facts. Leaving the UK would make things much worse for the poorest people in Scotland.”

She said an independent Scotland would mean £15 billion of cuts, hitting pensions and spelling the end to UK defence contracts.

She added: “We are a stronger, richer, fairer and better nation by remaining in the UK.

“Tomorrow evening, Scottish Labour MSPs will vote against a divisive second independence referendum.

“That was our manifesto commitment to the people of Scotland and we will honour it.”

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie, whose party backs the call for another referendum, said: “It is absurd to suggest that we should not respond to and react to the fundamentally-changed circumstances we now find ourselves in.”

He added: “The situation is changed not only by the EU referendum result, but by everything the UK Government has done with it.

“The recklessness of holding that referendum to resolve their own internal squabbles, the utter lack of a plan ... and the disrespect shown to Scotland since then.”

Mr Harvie hit out at the “wishful thinking” of Scottish Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats, describing their “fantasy of a federal UK that simply doesn't exist”.

“As for the Conservative amendment, it seems bizarre to suggest that the Scottish Government must work together with the UK when it takes two to tango.

“UK ministers have blanked Scotland entirely in this process, ruling out negotiations to respect the way Scotland voted.

“Theresa May promised to develop a shared approach with all the devolved administrations before moving forward with article.

“We can now see how empty that promise was.”

On the timing of another referendum, he continued: “The idea of delaying this until after 2019 after we've been given the opportunity to see how our new relationship with Europe is working fundamentally misrepresents leaving the EU as something good instead of the act of political wreckage that it is.

“Autumn 2018 will be after the negotiations conclude when there is clarity about the arrangements.

“A deal negotiated by a UK Government Scotland didn't choose, with an EU institution on which Scotland is no longer represented about Brexit which Scotland didn't vote for either, and then a period of ratification by every other European country.

“That would leave the future of Scotland in the hands of everybody else in the whole of Europe, the citizens of Scotland the only people voiceless, voiceless, in that process.

“I don't think that we can accept that, I won't vote for it.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie confirmed his party would be voting against the Government on the issue of a second independence referendum.

He said that while independence campaigners would demand the will of the Parliament be respected after Wednesday's vote, he pointed out the Government had ignored Holyrood votes on other issues.

Mr Rennie said: “Tomorrow, I predict, the SNP and their online bedroom warriors will be battering their keyboards, demanding that the will of the Scottish Parliament be respected.

“I don't recall those masses demanding the SNP respect the will of the parliament when it voted to save Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the Scottish Funding Council.”

He added: “For these people, sovereign parliament only counts when it agrees with the Scottish National Party.

“This Parliament has been systematically undermined by the SNP when it does not agree with the SNP.”

Mr Rennie insisted: “This Scottish Parliament is not the Parliament of the Scottish National Party.'

Mr Rennie said having an independence referendum in response to Brexit would be mounting “chaos on chaos” and it would “divide” families, communities and friends.

He said: “Division with Europe is not resolved by division in the UK. The response to hard Conservative Brexit is not hard SNP independence.

“We do not mount chaos onto chaos of Brexit with the chaos of independence. We do not respond with a break from Europe with a break from the UK.”

He accused the SNP of breaking the Edinburgh Agreement which governed the 2014 independence referendum in which both governments agree to respect the result and said this does “not bode well” for a future independent Scotland sticking to international agreements.

Mr Rennie also quoted Alice in Wonderland in a dig at Alex Salmond's previous assertion that the referendum was a once-in-a-generation event, saying: “'How long is forever? said Alice. 'Sometimes just one second', said the White Rabbit.

“Time is a relative concept, especially in Wonderland, or in the SNP's Scotland.”

SNP backbencher Bruce Crawford said the unionist parties' position was undermined by their own arguments during the 2014 referendum campaign.

Politicians arguing for a No vote had warned that opting for independence would cost Scots their EU citizenship.

“It was a central plank of the Better Together campaign,” he said.

“As it turns out, voting No in 2014 has proved to be the option for guaranteeing the removal of our EU citizenship.”

He added: “Our people did not choose the hard Brexit route that is being proposed by the most right-wing government that has existed in this country at any time during my lifetime.

“The next two years will decide Scotland's future - Westminster will get its say on the outcome of Brexit, the EU parliament will get its say on the outcome of Brexit and the 27 remaining countries will get their say.

“Yet our citizens are to be denied? I don't think so.”

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins contrasted the Edinburgh Agreement which paved the way for the 2014 ballot with Ms Sturgeon's “unilateral demand for a second independence referendum”.

“The First Minister in her remarks earlier this afternoon said the question of timing should be for this Parliament,” he said.

“Well, that isn't how we did it in 2014. The question of timing was agreed by the Scottish and UK governments.

“The Edinburgh Agreement was based on a number of clear and firm principals.

“It wasn't this free-floating compromise which rested on nothing more secure than the shifting sands of political expediency.”