Timely article.
Quote:Indyref2 'framework' bill published at Holyrood. (Indyref2 = Second Independence referendum)BBC:
'Legislation which could pave the way for a new Scottish independence referendum has been tabled at Holyrood.
The Scottish government wants to put the question of independence to a new public vote in the second half of 2020.
However, the Referendums (Scotland) Bill does not set a date or question, with ministers seeking agreement with
the UK government
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "now more than ever it is essential that we keep Scotland's options open".
Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell gave a statement to MSPs on Wednesday afternoon about the
bill and plans for a "citizens' assembly" to discuss Brexit and independence.
The Scottish Conservatives said the "latest stunt" was "all about Nicola Sturgeon pandering to her party, not
speaking for the country". Ms Sturgeon announced in April that she wanted a new independence referendum to
happen before the end of the current Scottish Parliament term in 2021.
She told MSPs that she wanted to secure a "Section 30 order" - an agreement similar to that underpinning the 2014
referendum - from the UK government before doing this, to put the vote "beyond doubt or challenge".
The UK government has so far rejected such an agreement, but Ms Sturgeon said she would bring forward legislation
to "set the rules for any referendum that is now or in the future within the competence of the Scottish Parliament".
She wants the legislation to be passed by the end of this year, with a view to applying it specifically to a second
independence referendum in the event a deal is struck with UK ministers.
If such an agreement is secured, then the question, date and referendum period could be added to the bill via
secondary legislation. The bill as it stands has been ruled within Holyrood's remit by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's statement, Ms Sturgeon said that "Scotland must have the chance to choose a
better future than the one being offered by Westminster". She added: "An independence referendum within this
parliamentary term will give Scotland the opportunity to choose to be an independent European nation -rather than
have a Brexit future imposed upon us.
"We will seek agreement to a transfer of power at an appropriate point to enable an independence referendum
that is beyond challenge to be held later in this parliament. "It is essential the UK government recognises that it
would be a democratic outrage if it seeks to block such a referendum - indeed, any such stance would, in my view,
prove to be utterly unsustainable...'
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.