‘Scotland’s voice will be heard’ – Sturgeon vows to fight to maintain EU ties

[webfact]

‘Scotland’s voice will be heard’ – Sturgeon vows to fight to maintain EU ties
By Sarah Joanne Taylor



HOLYROOD: -- “Scotland spoke clearly for remain and I’m determined Scotland’s voice will be heard,” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told Holyrood.

She asked the Scottish parliament for a mandate to explore every option to maintain Scotland’s involvement in the EU, but said independence from the UK would not be the first task in hand.

“While I believe that independence is the best option for Scotland, it is not my starting point in these discussions. My starting point is to protect Scotland’s interests and to protect our relationship with the EU,” she told parliament.

More than two thirds of Scottish voters (62 percent) opted to stay in the European Union.

Continued membership of the EU was one of the deciding factors for many Scots who voted to remain part of the UK in Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum, Sturgeon said, but this is no longer the reality. Therefore, she reiterated, leaving the EU is “against the will of the people and is democratically unacceptable.”

The first minister told Holyrood she and her advisers were starting to prepare legislation for a second referendum on secession from the UK. However, she stressed that she was not asking parliament to vote on an independence referendum now, highlighting that the legislation was being prepared for use if it is needed at a later date.

“Our early priority has been to ensure that there is a widespread awareness across Europe of Scotland’s different choice in the referendum and of our aspiration to stay in the European Union,” Sturgeon said.

Her Scottish National Party (SNP) is two MSPs short of the 65 needed for a majority in Holyrood. If backing for another referendum is needed in the future, it is likely that Sturgeon will seek the approval of the six pro-independence Greens MSPs.

Sturgeon said she would also listen to and seek to address the concerns of the 38 percent of Scottish voters who opted to leave the EU.

She outlined three main points for Holyrood’s consideration.

To reassure EU nationals living and working in Scotland that they are welcome
The First Minister told anyone with concerns “you are welcome, this is your home and we welcome your contribution.”

Referring to a reported increase in racist attacks since the referendum on membership of the EU, she called on parliament to unite to make sure Scotland is “an open and welcoming country,” adding “racism will not be tolerated.”

To ensure Scotland remains an attractive prospect to businesses and investors
She said she planned to engage with businesses, organisations and stakeholders to “provide clarity and understand their concerns.”

Sturgeon told the chamber see was determined Scotland would continue to have access to the single market, arguing that if the country finds a way to maintain a relationship with the EU, it will become even more attractive to businesses and investors.

“We listen and we will lead,” she said, adding that it’s what people expect of Scotland and what it will continue to do.

Protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU
“I am utterly determined,” the first minister stressed, to protect Scotland’s relationship with and status in the European Union.

She said it was vital that Scotland seized the opportunity to make its voice heard before Article 50 is triggered, beginning the process of the UK’s departure from the EU.

In the days following the referendum, Sturgeon has spoken about relations with the EU with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, among others.

She is also in touch with the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels to emphasise Scotland’s wish to remain in the Union.

In Brussels on Tuesday (June 28), Scottish MEP Alyn Smyth got a standing ovation from the European Parliament for a speech ending “Scotland did not let you down, do not let Scotland down.”

Sturgeon is to meet the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and other officials in Brussels on Wednesday (June 29) to directly outline Scotland’s position to the Commission.

Standing Council of Experts
A Standing Council of Experts is to be established to provide parliament with advice on the next steps to take. Led by the Principal of Glasgow University, Professor Anton Muscatelli, it will offer recommendations on matters involving finance, economics and European matters. Council membership will be flexible, Sturgeon said, and assured the chamber that she would return to parliament to seek approval for any outcome of the discussions.

UK-wide petition
A petition – “EU Referendum Rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum” – seeking a second vote on independence from the EU had garnered almost four million signatures at the time of writing. However the British press has cited UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesperson as saying another vote is “not remotely on the cards.”

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-29

[colinneil]

Sturgen stupid woman is living in la-la land.

She has only one agenda, keeping herself in the media spotlight.

[Boon Mee]

She looks inbred.

That's the best the Sweaty's can do?

[NongKhaiKid]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

[happy Joe]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

[Rocceao]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

Well, we will have to bring Mel Gibson back for a re run of Brave heart, that will get the them united again.

[Boon Mee]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

Well, we will have to bring Mel Gibson back for a re run of Brave heart, that will get the them united again.

And a lot of good it'll do getting free of England, wot?

[pitrevie]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

I agree and she has a mandate with every region is Scotland voting to remain by a substantial majority. However being the democrat she is Sturgeon will not use this vote alone to separate from the union she will seek a mandate from the Scottish people. Apparently its something to do with accountability.

[englishoak]

bye bye ? i dont think so... itll take years to arrange and ya think the EU jobs and happly clappy are coming back ? riiiight ...

[daveAustin]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

Succeed at what, keeping Scotland in the EU by blocking the referendum vote? How will that happen then? She's all bluster. The only reason more Jocks voted for Remain -- bar two fingers up to the English -- is the potential for future handouts. The only way she has a chance of getting in the EU is independence from the UK (yes please) and then begging the EU to take them in. But why would they? What can they offer apart from a crate of single malt and a half a barrel of oil?

[Franky Bear]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

Not a chance in hell she will....not a chance.

[SgtRock]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

On the name calling I fully agree with you. There is no need for it and it is childish and foolish.

However, I just cannot get my head around this Independence from the UK and remain a part of the EU.

If she was calling for Independence for Scotland to make its own way in the world, I would actually support her if that is what the majority wanted.

Independence and being a part of the EU does not sit well with me.

[pitrevie]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

On the name calling I fully agree with you. There is no need for it and it is childish and foolish.

However, I just cannot get my head around this Independence from the UK and remain a part of the EU.

If she was calling for Independence for Scotland to make its own way in the world, I would actually support her if that is what the majority wanted.

Independence and being a part of the EU does not sit well with me.

Apparently it does with the Scots who voted by a substantial majority to remain in the European Union.

[bkkcanuck8]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

Succeed at what, keeping Scotland in the EU by blocking the referendum vote? How will that happen then? She's all bluster. The only reason more Jocks voted for Remain -- bar two fingers up to the English -- is the potential for future handouts. The only way she has a chance of getting in the EU is independence from the UK (yes please) and then begging the EU to take them in. But why would they? What can they offer apart from a crate of single malt and a half a barrel of oil?

What Scotland offers - and England can't.... is that they actually want to be part of the EU....

The European project was always about creating a unified federalist type state, just in a step by step process....

The problem is that like many they get ahead of themselves when they start viewing things like Empires -- bigger is better.

And things moved faster than had originally planned after the Soviet Union dissolved and the need to lock in a more open Europe from a resurgent Russia Authoritarian state. There are many countries that were allowed to move forward quicker than they should have (i.e. Greece, Italy joining the currency club before they should have).

It is not like there is not a number of things that have to be corrected and flushed out of the system before continuing.... and that will take time.... The United States project was not a smooth ride any quicker - and that was even though they were forced to be more unified because of the external threat of Britain.

British (older generation; younger generation identify more with being Europeans) wants to "protect their culture" and "their language" from change... which I find funny since they culture and language has changed (old english, welsh etc. were completely different languages - and the culture was completely different; even democracy was different - it was not really that inclusive .... only the "right people" had the right to vote.

Britain should never have been allowed to join - but then it will work out in the end since England will be out... but a greatly reduced and less important version of it on the fringes of an eventually reformed Europe....

[SgtRock]

All I've heard since Friday morning is ' England ' and ' Independence ' but how dare the Scots want to look after their own future.

Boris speaks and is ' charismatic ', Nicola speaks and is called everything under the sun.

On the name calling I fully agree with you. There is no need for it and it is childish and foolish.

However, I just cannot get my head around this Independence from the UK and remain a part of the EU.

If she was calling for Independence for Scotland to make its own way in the world, I would actually support her if that is what the majority wanted.

Independence and being a part of the EU does not sit well with me.

Apparently it does with the Scots who voted by a substantial majority to remain in the European Union.

That does not address my fundamental issue, which was being Independent and being part of the EU.

A majority of Scots voting to remain in the EU is not the same as being admitted to the EU. When I hear the pitfalls of possibly being denied entry to the EU being discussed with the electorate, I will listen a tad more carefully.

[Brer Fox]

Every time they show a TV interview of a jock in my country, they have to use subtitles as not many people can understand the pigeon English they speak.

Agreed. I have a Scottish friend originally from Inverness. I cannot understand a word he is saying on the phone but when I speak with him personally I can put the lip movements to the sounds and I can get most of it right.

[Boon Mee]

? What can they offer apart from a crate of single malt and a half a barrel of oil?

They fill the ranks of the Army with big fellas who don't take no shit?

[colinneil]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

Joe you forgot to take your medication again??

[Centrum]

"More than two thirds of Scottish voters (62 percent) opted to stay in the European Union."

Now, I know I'm not good at math but, wouldn't more than two thirds be a minimum of 5 percent more than 62 percent?

I suppose the sentence wouldn't carry as much weight if it read, "Less than two thirds of Scottish voters (62 percent) opted to stay.

[robertson468]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

You are not reading the News my Friend. The EU Presidency has already said that Scotland is part of the UK and the UK voted Out, which sorry to say, means Scotland also out and there is no precedence for a part of a Sovereignty to gain membership of the EU, Wake Up!

[bkkcanuck8]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

You are not reading the News my Friend. The EU Presidency has already said that Scotland is part of the UK and the UK voted Out, which sorry to say, means Scotland also out and there is no precedence for a part of a Sovereignty to gain membership of the EU, Wake Up!

Nothing is settled until article 50 is executed and negotiations entered. Until then the UK is part of the EU and there is no way they will get involved in the internal politics of an existing member.

[Bunnychow]

Is this the same woman who said she wanted Scotland to become independent from the UK as there was too much control in Westminister over Scotland affairs but wants to be part of the EU under the control of Brussels ?

Think she is looking for a pigs snout in the trough job in Brussels

[Bunnychow]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

You are not reading the News my Friend. The EU Presidency has already said that Scotland is part of the UK and the UK voted Out, which sorry to say, means Scotland also out and there is no precedence for a part of a Sovereignty to gain membership of the EU, Wake Up!

Scotland needs to vote out of the UK and apply to join the EU as an independent state...not hard to understand

[goldenbrwn1]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

Do you honestly think the European Parliament were giving her an ovation because of her or Scotland? It was just their way of getting at the UK for brexit ...I voted to remain and right now I'm quite shocked at how childish this EU institution is acting after the vote. My mums Scottish ,half my family still live in Scotland, and I can't see the UK breaking up. Scotland got too many perks for being in the uk. Do you really think the bravehearts of Scotland who are always banging on about freedom ( from what I really don't know) are then going to hand it all over to an unelected bunch in Brussels ?

Oh and before someone mentions Ireland reunification , maybe think about the millions of Irish Protestants in NI who might disagree, ironically of Scottish decent... Besides all the banter between NI and even Eire , Scotland and Wales and England ,we all are very closely related , and not in the same sense as an Irish American proclaiming his irishness because of a great great grannie ,I'm talking first generation . Like my Scottish mother and Welsh uncles, Irish first cousins etc. And this is very common in the uk.

The U.K. Will stand together.

Oh and as I said I voted to remain and I do think it was best to remain as to avoid more global economic uncertainty etc. But now the votes been cast, so we need to get on with it. The EU needs to pick their dummy back up.

[bkkcanuck8]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

You are not reading the News my Friend. The EU Presidency has already said that Scotland is part of the UK and the UK voted Out, which sorry to say, means Scotland also out and there is no precedence for a part of a Sovereignty to gain membership of the EU, Wake Up!

Scotland needs to vote out of the UK and apply to join the EU as an independent state...not hard to understand

Not necessarily, the UK has to execute article 50. Scotland has to vote out of UK before negotiations are complete. At that point then the EU can entertain whether Scotland is just remaining in the EU (as the UK membership) or apply anew.

[Bunnychow]

She will succeed.

And insults ( inbred, stupid woman...) by people who come to stray into the stupidest vote history can be seen as encouragement.

At the European parliament she received a standing ovation which clearly shows that the demand will be supported. This will not make be pleased to English of course, but it had to think before...

You are not reading the News my Friend. The EU Presidency has already said that Scotland is part of the UK and the UK voted Out, which sorry to say, means Scotland also out and there is no precedence for a part of a Sovereignty to gain membership of the EU, Wake Up!

Scotland needs to vote out of the UK and apply to join the EU as an independent state...not hard to understand

Not necessarily, the UK has to execute article 50. Scotland has to vote out of UK before negotiations are complete. At that point then the EU can entertain whether Scotland is just remaining in the EU (as the UK membership) or apply anew.

Let me be pefectly clear then, when article 50 is executed and the UK formally leaves the EU, Scotland can the vote to leave the UK and apply for membership for the EU as an independent state, they cannot stay in under the UK membership, as the UK no longer exists 1. As a member of the EU 2. With Scotland voting out ...the United Kingdom no longer exists

[bkkcanuck8]

Let me be pefectly clear then, when article 50 is executed and the UK formally leaves the EU, Scotland can the vote to leave the UK and apply for membership for the EU as an independent state, they cannot stay in under the UK membership, as the UK no longer exists 1. As a member of the EU 2. With Scotland voting out ...the United Kingdom no longer exists

The UK does not actually leave the EU until negotiations are finished or 2 year deadline is up... until then the UK is in. You have just notified the EU of intent to leave and set a deadline -- which cannot be reversed unless all members agree to it. Until that final day, the UK is in and anything is possible as the final agreement during negotiations.

You were perfectly clearly wrong - which is why the UK still continues paying for it's membership...

[Franky Bear]

If England/Westminster had shouted to stay in the EU and got it she would have wanted out.

This is all bluster to keep the focus of the absolute disaster she and Salmond has made of Scotland. The SNP have done more damage to Scotland than Hitler did.

[awayego]

Try to defend Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and the Scots against snide, ill-informed and bigoted comments and what do you get?

Post deleted!

Obviously the snide comments are acceptable whereas a defence against them is not.

Shows how impartial the Mods are.

Shame on you ThaiVisa!

Now delete this!

[sungod]

Ironic that in the last referendum for Scotland, by voting for independence from the UK would have voted them out of Europe as well.