Scotland will likely have another vote for independence

SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was angry at the prospect of leaving the EU, saying a drastic step could be taken to avoid it.

Nicola Sturgeon wants to stay in the EU.

SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has indicated her desire to hold a second referendum to decide the country’s independence after Britain voted to leave the EU.

She said it was “democratically unacceptable” that Scotland could be forced to leave the EU against its will, and would explore whatever means necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen.

All of Scotland’s 32 local authorites voted to remain in the EU, with 62 per cent of Scots voting along that line.

Back in 2014, Scotland voted against becoming independent from the UK. But Sturgeon believes such a significant change in the political context since that referendum meant opening the issue up to the Scottish public again was only fair.

“I intend to take all possible steps and explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted. In other words, to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market in particular,” Sturgeon said.

Nicola Sturgeon will do anything it takes to remain part of the EU.

“Scottish parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material changes change in the circumstances ... such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.

“It’s a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table, and it is on the table.

“If parliament judges that a second referendum is the best or only way to protect our place in Europe, it must have the option to hold one (an independence referendum).

“I can therefore confirm today that in order to protect that position, we will begin to prepare the legislation that will be required for a new independence referendum to take place if and when parliament so decides.”

Nicola Sturgeon has said another independence vote for Scotland is likely. Read more here: https://t.co/udZIIH4aKJhttps://t.co/LF5M6KX6dY

— ITV News (@itvnews) June 24, 2016

The 45-year-old said the way Scotland voted showed the country did not agree with the values associated with leaving the EU.

“I want to leave no-one in any doubt about this. I am proud of Scotland and how we voted. We proved that we are a modern, open, outward-looking and inclusive country.

“We said clearly that we do not want to leave the European Union, and I am determined that we will do what it takes to make sure that these aspirations are realised.”

The prospect of having to leave the EU despite Scotland voting so strongly against the move angered Sturgeon, who said many people voted to remain in the UK two years ago because of the lure of remaining as one of the union’s member states.

“Scotland faces the prospect of being taken the EU against our will and I find that democratically unacceptable ... for many people the supposed guarantee of remaining in the EU was a driver for their vote to remain in the UK,” she said.

.@NicolaSturgeon:"Unacceptable" for Scotland to be taken out of EU "against its will"https://t.co/K6pbNn362q https://t.co/4dggtmHz6W

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 24, 2016

52 per cent of people voted to leave the EU in the UK-wide vote, with 48 per cent voting to remain. The result came as a huge shock, with many bookmakers having “Remain” as the clear favourite.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he would step down in October, while share markets around the world — including Australia’s — plummeted in the wake of the result.

Scottish parliament will reportedly meet on Saturday to discuss its options.