“The people’s will must prevail” said Nicola Sturgeon, as she prepares to set out the Scottish Government’s plan for a second independence referendum today.

The First Minister will outline the SNP plan for a referendum next year, with or without the consent of the UK Government.

The 2014 vote followed an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments signed by David Cameron and Alex Salmond.

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The UK Government has said this time it will not grant a Section 30 order, the mechanism where the Scottish Government can hold the vote.

The First Minister said that is anti-democratic and is damaging the UK’s reputation.

Meanwhile Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said the announcement was a deflection from SNP failures” and said Scotland should instead be focussed on removing Boris Johnson from Downing Street.

The First Minister said Scotland voted to be given the chance to decide on independence again.

Sturgeon said: “The people of Scotland have elected a Parliament committed to giving them a choice on independence, and so that democratic will must be respected.

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“In Scotland, it is the people who are and have always been sovereign – and it is the people’s will which must prevail.

“That may be an inconvenient truth for our political opponents, but it is a simple and unavoidable truth nonetheless.

“Continued attempts to block that democratic will only weaken the UK Government’s standing, here and internationally.”

She said the UK Government is in no position to lecture any other country about the need to respect democratic norms if it is intent on trying to thwart democracy at home.

She added: “The UK is either a partnership of consent or it is not a partnership worthy of the name.  Westminster rule over Scotland cannot be based on anything other than a consented, voluntary partnership.”

Sarwar meanwhile said the First Minister is not listening to the people on other issues.

He said: “The SNP are trying to drag Scotland back to the politics of the past instead of dealing with the challenges of the present.

“It is no surprise that Nicola Sturgeon is ramping up her efforts to sow division and strife when we see the chaos in her party and the failures of her government. 

“She says to listen to the people of Scotland – but she refuses to herself, forging ahead with an unwanted referendum and ignoring people’s desperate cries for help with the cost of living crisis.

“Right now people across Scotland are struggling to put food on the table as bills spiral; one in eight Scots is stuck on a waiting list as our NHS buckles under pressure, and public transport is in chaos.

“Instead of dealing with these issues, we have two governments feeding off one another and trying to tear communities apart for political gain – but you cannot play politics while people’s lives and livelihoods are in the balance.

“The next electoral contest in Scotland will be a general election. This is our chance for change and Scottish Labour is ready to kick the Tories out of power and elect a Labour Government.”