MSPs set to vote on plans for second independence referendum

First Minister John Swinney will ask parliament to formally request the transfer of powers from the UK government to Scotland so a referendum on independence can be held. A motion will be voted on Tuesday, followed by a debate and vote. The motion calls on the UK government to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve powers to the Scottish Parliament for a referendum. The vote is expected to pass, with more than 70 MSPs backing independence. Swinney linked the plan to the election result and said a constitutional vote could be held within two years. Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said the Scottish Parliament has the highest number of pro-independence MSPs ever elected.

"First Minister John Swinney is set to ask parliament to formally request the transfer of powers from the UK government to Scotland to allow a referendum on independence to be held. The Scottish government has scheduled a statement and debate titled "Ambitious for Scotland", giving Swinney his first chance to outline his fiveyear vision. The vote is likely to pass, with over 70 MSPs backing independence."

"MSPs will vote on a motion on Tuesday that requests that the parliament welcomes the "emphatic democratic mandate for bold and ambitious reform backed by the people of Scotland at the Scottish General Election." It continues with a call on the UK government to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve the powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. The motion will be followed by a debate and vote."

"During the election campaign, Swinney said that a majority for the SNP would be a mandate for a second referendum - however the party did not achieve this. In a debate, Swinney said it was "perfectly conceivable" that a vote on the constitution could be held within two years."

"Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said the request had come as the Scottish Parliament now consists of the "highest number of pro-independence MSPs ever elected" when the number of SNP and Green members are combined. She said: "This SNP government is hitting the ground running to deliver what we promised to the people of Scotland. "With the highest number of pro-independence MSPs ever elected, the mandate for a referendum could not be clearer"

Read at www.bbc.com