Brexit: Renewed calls for Scottish independence follow UK’s departure from EU

SNP deputy leader hails ‘unstoppable momentum’ behind second referendum

Scotland’s largest union has backed renewed calls for another independence referendum in the wake of the UK’s departure from the EU.

Unison’s endorsement of “Indyref2” came as hundreds of campaigners for a second vote gathered outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh.

The union’s members agreed overwhelmingly that powers should be transferred to Scotland to enable a referendum to be held at a time determined by Holyrood.

Following the announcement by Unison’s Scottish Council in Glasgow, SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said there is now “unstoppable momentum” behind a fresh vote.

He said: “Unison, Scotland’s biggest trade union, is the latest respected body to support a transfer of powers so the Scottish parliament can hold a fresh referendum at a time of its choosing.

“The democratic right of the people of Scotland to determine our own future cannot be ignored by Westminster.”

The Scottish Greens described Unison’s endorsement as a “totemic moment” for the independence movement.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said Scotland was facing a “democratic deficit” that “can only be resolved by putting the question of Scotland’s future back to the people.”

Unison’s backing for a second referendum raised cheers from the crowds of supporters at the rally in Edinburgh 50 miles away.

However SNP MSP Stuart McMillan told the gathering that there was “still a job to do” to garner more support across the country.

He said: “For us to win the fight for independence, we need to talk to more people.

“We’re not yet over that threshold. The opinion polls have shown it’s around 50 per cent, last week they said it was 51 per cent – we’ve still got a job to do. We need to talk to more people.”

Mr McMillan claimed that around 15 per cent of the Scottish electorate were floating voters who could be convinced to back independence.

He added: “I don’t believe in little Britain, I believe in a larger Europe.”

One supporter who took part in the rally, Andrew Allan, admitted that another vote was currently “too close to call” but added: “I think it’s looking quite good for Scotland.”

Paul Robertson, who had travelled to Edinburgh with his son Colin, said he believed independence was “the only way”.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has already raised the prospect of holding a non-binding “consultative referendum” to gauge opinion on Scottish independence if Boris Johnson continues to refuse another vote.

She also intends to establish a new constitutional convention to endorse a “modern Claim of Right for Scotland” to declare the sovereignty of the Scottish people.

On Brexit Day, Ms Sturgeon wrote a letter to Europe urging them to “leave a light on for Scotland”.

“Scotland very much hopes to resume our membership of the European Union in the future, as an equal member,” she added.

Additional reporting by Press Association