Scotland’s constitution secretary says date provides ample time to pass necessary legislation for vote
Nicola Sturgeon plans to hold a second referendum onin October next year if her government secures the legal approval to stage it.
On Tuesday the first minister published the first in a series of policy papers setting out the case for independence, which will tackle some of the major challenges facing the yes campaign, such as its currency options, Scotland’s deficit and debt, as well as the opportunities she says independence will bring, such as reforming welfare and immigration.
The 2014 referendum was staged only because the then Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in Westminster gave it legislative consent, under section 30 of the Scotland Act. Many constitutional lawyers and pro-UK parties believe that is the only lawful route.