The Spectator

Nicola Sturgeon announces a second Scottish referendum: full speech

Before the end of this month – and very possibly as early as tomorrow – the Prime Minister will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, setting the UK on course to leave the EU in March 2019.

It is important, therefore, for me to report now on the Scottish Government’s attempts to find compromise with the UK government and set out our plan to protect Scotland’s interests.

Right now, Scotland stands at a hugely important crossroads. We didn’t choose to be in this position. In common with most people across the country, I wish that we weren’t in this position. But we are and the stakes are high – so we must have a plan for the way forward.

For better or worse – depending on your point of view – the future of the UK looks very different today than it did two years ago. As a result of the Brexit vote we face a future, not just outside the EU, but also outside the world’s biggest single market.

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