Nicola Sturgeon wants IndyRef2 next year in Labour deal with SNP

Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech as he visits Nelson Library i
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Nicola Sturgeon said a second Scottish independence referendum should be held next year if the SNP supports a minority Labour government.

The Scottish National Party leader said she would give her backing in the event of a hung parliament on condition that the timing of a second referendum was decided by the Scottish Parliament.

The First Minister of Scotland told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “We would offer support to a minority Labour government.

"The conditions for that were set out very clearly in our manifesto … a respect for the principle that the question of whether there should be an independence referendum and the timing of that should be decided by the Scottish Parliament elected by the Scottish people and not dictated by Westminster.

“The timing should be up to the Scottish Parliament. My proposition to the Scottish Parliament is that should be next year.”

“We would offer support to a minority Labour government"
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She also said that she did not expect Labour to support independence or a second referendum, but added: “I’d be delighted to welcome this if it happened.”

Labour has been increasingly open to the prospect of a second independence referendum in 2021.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has previously said Labour would not block a second Scottish referendum if the party wins power in the general election.

Labour’s shadow under secretary of state for Scotland, Paul Sweeney, also confirmed an agreement could be made in exchange for the SNP’s support to put Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street if there is a hung parliament, according to The Scotsman.

Boris Johnson has ruled out granting permission for a second vote on Scottish independence while he is Prime Minister.

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