Nicola Sturgeon says independent Scotland within ‘touching distance’ as election looms

‘This election really is the most important one Scotland has faced in modern times,’ SNP leader says

‘A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit, and to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands,’ Sturgeon says (PA)

An independent Scotland is “within touching distance”, the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon claimed today in her first major address of the general election.

As campaigning for the December poll entered its first weekend, Ms Sturgeon described the first winter election in almost a century as the most important in “modern times”.

Jeremy Corbyn has not ruled out granting permission for Scotland to hold a second independence referendum if he wins the election, but has described it as not “desirable or necessary”.

Speaking at a pro-independence rally in Glasgow, the Scottish first minister told supporters: “A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit, and to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson’s.

Ms Sturgeon said: “This election really is the most important one Scotland has faced in modern times. So much is on the line – people are completely fed up with the mess at Westminster.

“An independent Scotland is closer than it has ever been. It really is within touching distance. What is needed now is another clear win for the SNP to bring it even closer still.”

Ms Sturgeon’s remarks come after she used her keynote address to the SNP conference in Aberdeen last month to insist a second independence referendum “must” take place in 2020, whoever the prime minister may be.

She will formally request the power for Holyrood to stage a referendum from the UK government before the end of this year. A section 30 order – which Boris Johnson has so far refused to consider – would mean a legally binding ballot could be held.

But Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard insisted: “The last thing Scotland needs is another divisive independence referendum.”

Mr Leonard, who was campaigning in Coatbridge on Saturday, said: “While Nicola Sturgeon is speaking to her own supporters, Labour is out on the streets of Scotland speaking to voters.

“We are putting forward our positive case for a Labour government that will scrap universal credit, introduce a £10-per-hour real living wage and deliver £70bn of extra investment in Scotland’s public services.”

Scottish secretary Alister Jack, meanwhile, said the SNP would “absolutely” not have a mandate for a second independence referendum if the party wins the most seats north of the border on 12 December.