Scotland will have a second vote on independence

Significance

The move comes in response to London’s apparent determination to pursue a ‘hard' Brexit, taking the United Kingdom out of the European single market. While UK Prime Minister Theresa May has so far refused to grant the order, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is adamant that "Scotland's future will be in Scotland's hands".

Impacts

• Council elections in May will give some indication of public feeling on independence.
• While the stakes in this referendum will be higher than in the last, it is likely to be peaceful.
• London's need to maintain an open border with Ireland will negate any threat of a hard border with Scotland.