NICOLA Sturgeon has said she expects a second referendum on Scottish independence while she is First Minister.
The SNP leader, who polls suggest will be at the helm of another majority government after Thursday’s Holyrood election, said the prospect of a second vote on the issue during her premiership was now “more likely than not”.
Her party’s manifesto says Holyrood should have the right to hold another referendum if there is “clear and sustained evidence” of majority support for independence, or if there is a “significant and material” change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will.
She has already announced a summer initiative targeting some of the 55 per cent of No voters in the September 2014 vote.
Speaking on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday, she said: “I want Scotland to be independent, I think it’s the best future for our country so clearly I would like to see a second referendum.
“But it’s not just a decision for me, it’s a decision for the majority of people in Scotland and there will only be a second referendum and there will certainly only be independence if a majority of people in Scotland want that.”
In an interview with the Sunday Herald about whether she thought there would be a second referendum within her premiership, the First Minister replied: “If you’re asking me, do I think it’s more likely than not? Yes.”
She added: “I would like to think that’s the case. If I can’t persuade more people than we persuaded in 2014 of the case for independence then there won’t be. But if we can, then I think there will be.”
With just four days to go before polling day, the SNP leader also made a May Day pledge yesterday to put job creation at the heart of the next Scottish government.
She also highlighted her party’s plans to create more high-quality jobs, which include plans to double the number of Living Wage employers by the autumn of 2017, provide help for home grown businesses to expand, and set up regional economic forums.
“The SNP will put job creation at the heart of our agenda and will bring forward a jobs plan within our first 100 days in office,” she said.
“We want everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to find work – but we also want to improve the quality of work, drive up pay where wages are low and ensure that our workforce have the right skills.”
'I will continue to try to persuade people': Leaders clash over indyref 2 in heated final TV debate
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