Nicola Sturgeon launches second Scottish independence referendum drive after Brexit vote

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has launched a new campaign for a second independence referendum, just two years after voters rejected splitting from the rest of the UK.

The SNP leader said her party, which is enjoying an away day in Sterling today (2 September), will conduct the "biggest listening exercise in Scotland's history" in the wake of the Brexit vote at the EU referendum.

"The UK that Scotland vote to stay part of in 2014 has changed — and so too have the arguments. That's why I believe it is right that our party does now lead a new debate on independence," Sturgeon declared.

"We must not assume that people's views — yes or no — are the same today as they were in 2014. Instead we must engage the arguments with a fresh eye and an open mind. And before we start talking we must listen."

The initiative will take the form of a national survey, with the SNP encouraging its 120,000 members to "engage with" five people each month for the next three months, amongst other campaigning activities.

The nationalists will also set-up a 'Party Growth Commission' to examine the the projections for Scotland's economy in the post-Brexit climate and in the context of independence.

"This strategy will include consideration of monetary arrangements to 'best underpin a strategy for sustainable growth' and will seek views from across the political spectrum," the party said.

The move comes after Scotland and Northern Ireland backed a Remain vote at the referendum, while England and Wales voted Leave. Sturgeon has even travelled to Brussels in a bid to keep the nation inside the EU.

The vote has reinvigorated her efforts of splitting Scotland from the rest of the UK, but a YouGov poll for The Times showed a majority of Scottish voters do not want a second referendum (54% versus 46%).

The survey, of more than 1,000 people between 29 and 31 August, also showed that Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davison was more popular with voters than Sturgeon (+21% versus +20%).

Theresa May, meanwhile, has so far failed to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the official mechanism to split from the EU – despite her pledge that "Brexit means Brexit".

A spokesperson for the new prime minister had also suggested that parliament will not get a say on triggering the Article 50, which is expected to be launched next year and followed by two years of negotiations.