Scotland to Demand Second Independence Referendum If UK Exits EU

Scotland will insist on another referendum on independence from the United Kingdom if Britain votes to leave the European Union, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — UK Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain's membership in the bloc by the end of 2017.

"I have said before — and I repeat again today — that if Scotland was to find itself facing a EU exit that we hadn't voted for, demand for a second independence referendum could well be unstoppable," Sturgeon said in a speech marking one year since the failed 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

The Scottish politician vowed to campaign against a so-called Brexit, as the bloc protects employee rights, an issue the Conservative party cannot be solely relied upon to defend.

On September 18, 2014, Scotland held a nationwide vote on the country’s independence from the United Kingdom. Over 55 percent of voters supported Scotland remaining within the UK.

The Scotland National Party (SNP) behind the independence vote, pledged Scotland would remain in the European Union in the case of a secession from the United Kingdom.