AFP, London :
The British government “does not believe there should be a second referendum” on Scottish independence, Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokeswoman said Wednesday, following reports that she is making contingency plans for another vote.
Speculation is mounting that Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will declare her intention to hold a rerun of the September 2014 vote, as a poll published Wednesday revealed rising support for independence ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union.
“We don’t believe that there should be a second referendum. There has been a referendum, it was clear, decisive, it was legal, and both sides agreed to abide by the results of that referendum,” May’s spokesman told journalists on Wednesday.
Downing Street was responding to a report that it had told Scottish newspaper The Courier it was holding “contingency” talks to deal with a referendum announcement.
Scotland rejected independence by 55 percent in 2014, but 20 months later it voted to remain in the European Union by 62 percent, sparking calls for a fresh vote. The battle over Scotland’s constitutional future is now almost an even split, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
The British government “does not believe there should be a second referendum” on Scottish independence, Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokeswoman said Wednesday, following reports that she is making contingency plans for another vote.
Speculation is mounting that Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will declare her intention to hold a rerun of the September 2014 vote, as a poll published Wednesday revealed rising support for independence ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union.
“We don’t believe that there should be a second referendum. There has been a referendum, it was clear, decisive, it was legal, and both sides agreed to abide by the results of that referendum,” May’s spokesman told journalists on Wednesday.
Downing Street was responding to a report that it had told Scottish newspaper The Courier it was holding “contingency” talks to deal with a referendum announcement.
Scotland rejected independence by 55 percent in 2014, but 20 months later it voted to remain in the European Union by 62 percent, sparking calls for a fresh vote. The battle over Scotland’s constitutional future is now almost an even split, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
