First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has used her Programme for Government today to confirm she wants to legislate for a second referendum next year.
Describing it as the “prize” she confirmed at the end of the statement that the SNP-Green government intends to hold the vote on October 19, 2023.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said:
“Despite everything that’s going on, Nicola Sturgeon couldn’t resist concluding her Programme for Government with the only thing her party really cares about.
“She conceded during her speech that for her this was the ‘prize’ and no-one who’s followed her time as First Minister would be surprised by that admission.
“People listening to the First Minister today wanted her to put the constitutional grievances to one side to address the many severe issues developing on her watch.
“Perhaps, she may even have repurposed the £20 million she has set aside for another divisive vote on things that really matter.
“Instead, she confirmed that all her government will really be focused on over the next year is the break-up of the United Kingdom.
“That is not what people and businesses in Scotland want.
“Scotland’s positive future is together with the UK, tackling the cost-of-living crisis and working hard to ensure a bright future.”