Scotland’s nationalists demand re-run of 2014 independence vote amid Brexit election

Opinion polls suggest support has risen for Scottish independence since 55 per cent voted to remain part of the United Kingdom five years ago

In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 62 per cent of Scottish voters opted to remain in the EU, while across Britain 52 per cent voted for Brexit

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Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon delivers a speech at an independence rally in Glasgow on November 2. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:15pm, 8 Nov 2019Updated: 9:15pm, 8 Nov 2019

The British government must permit a vote on Scottish independence next year as Scotland faces the prospect of leaving the European Union against its will, Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday.

“A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit,” Sturgeon, who also heads Scotland's devolved government, said at the launch of its general election campaign.

Sturgeon, centre, with other members of the Scottish National Party with a Stop Brexit sign during the party's General Election campaign launch. Photo: DPA

“The Tories’ number one pledge at this election is to take Scotland out of the EU against our will,” she said, referring to Britain’s ruling Conservative Party by its nickname.

Speaking during a visit to Scotland on Thursday, Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was “no case whatsoever [for a referendum] because people were promised in 2014 that it would be a once-in-a-generation event, and I see no reason why we should go back on that pledge”.

Opinion polls suggest support has risen for Scottish independence since 55 per cent voted to remain part of the United Kingdom in 2014.

Pro-Scottish independence campaigners at a rally in Glasgow this month. Photo: AFP