In the wake of last week’s shocking Brexit vote, which roiled global financial markets, drew calls for a second vote on EU membership, and threw the British political system into disarray, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wasted no time over the weekend preparing for another independence referendum.
After Scotland voted 62% to 38% for Britain to stay in the EU, Sturgeon’s cabinet held an emergency session on Saturday and decided to push for legislation on a second vote to leave the U.K. soon. The last referendum on the matter, in 2014, failed because only 45% of voters backed the measure; 55% were opposed.
This time, Sturgeon said she is setting up an advisory panel to talk about the legal, financial, and diplomatic matters surrounding the issue. She also is starting to talk to officials in Brussels to “protect Scotland’s place in the EU” and suggested members of the Scottish Parliament may try to block Brexit by not giving their “legislative consent.” By weighing another referendum, leaders are demonstrating they think it would be to Scotland’s financial advantage to be in the EU.
With a new poll showing 52% of Scots now support independence—and 48% are opposed—perhaps she will have better luck the second time around.