Scotland votes to stay in the EU—but is dragged out by England

AGAINST the Brexit tide that swept Britain, 62% of Scots voted to stay in the European Union on June 23rd, presenting the first minister of Scotland’s devolved government, Nicola Sturgeon, with a difficult question: whether to push for a second independence referendum.

Speaking to journalists this morning, Ms Sturgeon said that it was “democratically unacceptable” for Scotland to be yanked out of the EU against its will. Britain’s departure represented the kind of “significant and material change in circumstances” which her Scottish National Party said in its election manifesto in May could trigger demands for a new independence referendum, following an unsuccessful effort in 2014. The first minister indicated that she would first speak to EU leaders, to see if Scotland could secure any sort of deal. But a second referendum, she said, was now “highly likely”.