The move, announced in the form of a draft referendum bill, proves it’s the SNP’s one and only priority in government, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
Leader Ruth Davidson pointed out that in her programme for government in September, the First Minister covered a range of topics before dropping the issue of the constitution in at the end.
The SNP even mocked opposition parties for mentioning independence more than it did during the Scottish Parliament debate.
However, today’s move is the first major piece of work undertaken by the Scottish Government since that debate, proving breaking up Britain is the issue the nationalists care most passionately about.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“During her programme for government, the First Minister made great play of how she had a number of priorities ahead of independence.
“The SNP even criticised other parties for making reference to the issue during the debate.
“Yet today we see that once again it is the SNP’s top priority.
“This is the first major bill Nicola Sturgeon has published after being re-elected as First Minister and shows that separation is her overriding concern.
“Nicola Sturgeon stated quite clearly she would only hold another referendum if that’s what the people of Scotland want.
“But the voters were clear in 2014 that they didn’t want to break up Britain and poll after poll has shown that support for another divisive referendum is tumbling.
“No matter what else the SNP claims to be passionate about, be it education, health or justice, today’s publication exposes its sole objective is separation ahead of anything and everything else.”