Scotland needs choice on independence at end of Brexit: Sturgeon

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The SNP leader has already ruled out Scotland joining the euro insisting that no country "can be forced to join the euro" under the existing framework.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show this morning, Sturgeon said that a "phased approach" to rejoining the European Union may be needed.

He said: "Scotland is not a viable country economically".

She added: "Nicola Sturgeon is the person who wants to use this General Election to threaten a second independence referendum, yet she refuses to give voters the clarity they need".

"Now it may be that we have a phased approach to that by necessity", she said.

She will also demand a crackdown of exactly what drugs taxpayers should pay for, signalling the NHS could stop handing out over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol if Miss Davidson is elected Scotland's next First Minister.

Ms Sturgeon said yesterday she accepted that it was "possible, not necessarily desirable" that for "a period" an independent Scotland would be in Efta. The European commission has also made clear Scotland can only apply to join once it is independent.

"The dividing line now in Scottish politics is, if you support independence you vote SNP, if you're against independence you vote Conservative, and that doesn't leave a lot of room for the Labour Party".

Sturgeon labelled the EU's Common Fisheries Policy "no longer fit for purpose" during the interview.

Theresa May promises to advance workers' rights if Tories win election
She has also vowed to increase the National Living Wage, which is now £7.50 an hour, to match average earnings until 2022. Ian Lavery, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator, said: " Theresa May is taking working people for fools.

NICOLA Sturgeon and Alex Salmond have both denied Scotland has become a more divided nation after ten years of SNP government.

Nicola Sturgeon has sought to redefine the mandate that she is seeking in this United Kingdom general election.

"We can press the case for Scotland's place in the single market".

"My message on this election on Brexit is whether you voted leave or remain, whether you were yes or no in 2014, if you vote SNP you are strengthening my hand to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard in these negotiations and that we don't sacrifice jobs and our economy".

She said that "rather than look back, we're looking forward", adding: "We're proud of what we've done but we're absolutely full of ambition about what we still want to do". "People in Scotland can see through Nicola Sturgeon's contortions on Europe, which is why a majority don't want another divisive referendum". We know we are the challengers in these seats.

The survey also found less than half of young teenagers could write well or very well and only 40% did well or very well in numeracy.

The Scottish National Party will be hoping for another strong performance following its triumphant showing in 2015.

However, Ms Sturgeon said she was not concerned about losing the seat.

"It is Orwellian to lecture others on nationalism when she's the one who drapes herself in a flag and drives around in a tank", said SNP candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, Deidre Brock, referring to a photo shoot in which Davidson posed in a British army tank and a Union Jack, the symbol of British unity.

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