Nicola Sturgeon: '˜I will win case for independence'

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon launches her manifesto for the Holyrood election . Picture: Getty

SCOTLAND is facing a renewed battle over its constitutional future after Nicola Sturgeon said she will 'succeed' in making the case for a second referendum in the next five years - and warned that UK politicians have no right to block it.

The First Minister has pledged to join forces with other pro-independence parties like the Scottish Greens in a new summer campaign to make the case for Scotland leaving the UK and insisted another vote on the issue could be staged during the term of the next parliament.

She launched the SNP manifesto for the forthcoming Holyrood election yesterday within which it states a referendum re-run could be held if there is “clear and sustained evidence” that most Scots want it.

Although David Cameron has pledged to block this, with control over the constitution being retained in Westminster, Ms Sturgeon warned: “No politician will have the right to stand in the way.”

This prompted claims that Scotland is now in “constitutional limbo” from opponents who say it makes a mockery of Ms Sturgeon’s previous claims that the referendum was a “once in a generation” event.

The SNP is riding high in the polls and on course for an unprecedented third term in office and a second successive majority at Holyrood. In 2011, this was seen as a mandate for a referendum, but this time round Ms Sturgeon says Scots must first be persuaded of the case for a second vote on the constitution.

• View the SNP manifesto in full >>