Nicola Sturgeon will today launch a fresh push for independence – leaving the cross-party consensus on Brexit “consigned to the dustbin”.
The first minister will use a speech in Stirling to attempt to renew the case for separation in the “profoundly changed circumstances” of the UK-wide vote to leave the EU.
Opposition politicians have reacted with consternation to the move, accusing Ms Sturgeon of “betraying” the MSPs who voted to support her efforts to keep Scotland in the continental bloc.
Ms Sturgeon is expected to say: “The SNP’s job is to act – at all times – in Scotland’s best interests.
“But while working in Scotland’s interests is a constant for the SNP, this summer we witnessed seismic changes which will have a deep impact on our ambition for this country.
“The UK that existed before June 23 has fundamentally changed. The debate now is whether we should go forward, protecting our place as a European nation or go backwards, under a Tory government with very different priorities.
“And while we will pursue all options to protect our interests, the debate must include an examination of independence in what are profoundly changed circumstances.
“To ensure that the voice of everyone in Scotland is heard in these changed times, I am today launching Scotland’s biggest ever political listening exercise – a new conversation and a new debate for these new times.”
In June, the vast majority of Holyrood representatives – including Labour and the Liberal Democrats – lent their support to the first minister’s efforts to maintain Scotland’s relationship with the EU.
But both parties demanded assurances from Ms Sturgeon that the initiative was not merely a smoke-screen for another constitutional ballot.
Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats have now reaffirmed they will oppose any move to hold a second referendum on independence.
A spokesman for the first minister insisted it was “profoundly mistaken” to believe her stance was different, claiming it remained “unchanged” since winning the cross-party support in the June vote on Holyrood’s response to Brexit.
Speaking as she launched her party’s plan for the new parliament yesterday, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “We are opposed to a second referendum in the lifetime of this parliament.”
Earlier, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the cross-party consensus on Brexit is “consigned to the dustbin”.
He added: “When she brings forward her legislation for another independence referendum we will vote No.”
Despite the opposition of Labour and the Liberal Democrats, there is a pro-independence majority at Holyrood, with the Scottish Green Party’s five MSPs supporting a Yes vote in 2014.