Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday warned Britain was heading for a “hard” exit from the European Union against Scotland’s wishes, which could pave the way for independence.
In a speech in Edinburgh, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader cited continuing access to the EU single market and maintaining freedom of movement with the bloc as two things that were key to Scotland’s economic interests.
But she said the British government appeared to be “heading towards a ‘hard’ rather than a ‘soft’ Brexit, a future outside the single market with only limited access and significant restrictions on free movement”.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, which starts the two-year countdown to Brexit, before the end of the year to give time to consult with all nations in the UK.
Unlike England and Wales, most voters in Scotland voted in the June 23 referendum to remain in the EU — and Sturgeon said she would fight hard to protect her country’s interests.
As well as economic concerns, Scotland also wanted to preserve EU social protections and international alliances on crime and climate change, she said.
“At this stage we must keep all of our options open,” Sturgeon told a meeting organised by the IPPR think tank.
In the coming months “the (UK) nations that voted to leave can start figuring out what Brexit actually does mean, while others like Scotland can focus on how to retain ties and keep open channels that we do not want to close or dismantle”.
Despite a lifetime’s commitment to Scottish independence, which was rejected in a 2014 referendum, Sturgeon said breaking away from the UK was not her first priority.
“Protecting Scotland’s interest is my starting point and I am determined to explore all options to do that,” she said.
“But if we find our interests can’t be protected in a UK context, independence must be one of those options.”