Nicola Sturgeon has said she will call a second referendum on Scottish independence if the UK opts for a hard Brexit.
The first minister’s announcement that a consultation on plans for a second independence referendum will begin next week was met by a standing ovation from the full house at the start of the Scottish National Party’s three-day annual conference in Glasgow on Thursday.
Ms Sturgeon said that she had a mandate to protect Scotland's place in Europe, after 62 per cent of Scots voted to remain in the European Union in June.
"I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence and to do so before the UK leaves the EU – if that is necessary to protect our country's interests," the first minister said.
The SNP leader said that the UK government’s recent rhetoric and policies on immigration showed that the Conservatives had now been taken over by its “rampant” and xenophobic right wing.
Speaking directly to her opposite number, UK prime minister Theresa May, Ms Sturgeon said: "Hear this: if you think for one single second that I'm not serious about doing what it takes to protect Scotland's interests, then think again."
The Independence Referendum Bill to be published next week would mark the first step in a re-run of the 2014 vote, which the nationalists lost by 10 points.
Despite this draft legislation, a second independence referendum is not guaranteed.
The devolved Scottish parliament – in which the SNP is a minority government – would have to vote on the Bill, and it is thought likely that Westminster would have to give consent for another referendum. Ms May said last week that she would defend “the precious union” against “divisive nationalists”.
The nationalists could face an uphill battle to win a referendum as the Scottish economy struggles amid rock bottom oil prices. A poll published on Thursday found 47 per cent were against independence, 38 per cent in favour and 12 per cent undecided.
Nevertheless, some within the SNP believe the prospect of a hard Brexit, particularly if Scotland is forced out of the the single market, could change the electoral calculus.
Additional powers
Ms Sturgeon also held out the possibility of a solution short of another referendum, calling for “substantial additional powers” for the Scottish parliament in the wake of Brexit.
Scotland, she said, needed “powers to strike international deals. And greater powers over immigration. Powers not just to protect our economy, but also our values.”
She said that the SNP in Westminster would vote against the so-called Great Repeal Bill, the legislation that would repeal the European Communities Act 1973. The SNP leader also called for a progressive “coalition” in parliament to oppose a hard Brexit.
Scottish unionists accused Ms Sturgeon of using Brexit to push for the break-up of the UK.
A repeat of the 2014 referendum would “take Scotland back to yet more uncertainty”, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said.
“This isn’t the action of a first minister of Scotland but an SNP fundamentalist who puts independence first, last and always.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said that Ms Sturgeon was attempting to “divide” Scotland.
Earlier in the day, Angus Robertson was elected deputy SNP leader following a poll of the party’s 125,000 members.
Mr Robertson, widely seen as the establishment choice, called on all members to begin campaigning for a second independence referendum immediately.
“We are very close to independence and we must start campaigning right now,” the SNP’s leader at Westminster said.