Does the SNP have a mandate for a referendum on Scotland’s future?
The SNP is strongly committed to giving Scotland a choice on our future at the end of the Brexit process.
The SNP Scottish Government has a clear mandate to offer the people of Scotland a choice. The SNP has won two elections – the Scottish Parliament election in 2016 and the General Election last year – with an explicit commitment in our manifesto on holding a referendum. The Scottish Parliament has also endorsed that position.
The Scottish Government will not introduce legislation for an independence referendum immediately. At the end of Brexit negotiations – likely to be next autumn – the Scottish Government will set out its judgment on the best way forward – and on the precise timescale of the people of Scotland having a choice on our future.