Europe

Scottish lawmakers to vote on independence referendum call

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Scottish Independence supporters drive past the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh ahead of the vote by Members of the Scottish Parliament to hold a second Scottish independence referendum Tuesday March 28, 2017. On Monday British Prime Minister Theresa May has met Scotland's leader Nicola Sturgeon for the first time since they faced off in a struggle over a new push for Scottish independence as the U.K. leaves the European Union.  (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sit during their meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday March 27, 2017. May met with Scotland's leader Monday for the first time since they faced off in a struggle over a new push for Scottish independence as the U.K. leaves the European Union. (Russell Cheyne/ PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a debate on a second referendum on independence at Scotland's Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, Tuesday March 28, 2017. On Monday British Prime Minister Theresa May has met Scotland's leader Nicola Sturgeon for the first time since they faced off in a struggle over a new push for Scottish independence as the U.K. leaves the European Union. (Russell Cheyne/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Scotland's parliament is set to vote on a call by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for a referendum on independence within two years.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will formally launch the U.K's two-year European exit process on Wednesday.

Sturgeon says Scots must be given the chance to vote on their future before Britain leaves the bloc. She says "Scotland's future should be in Scotland's hands."

But May, whose government must approve a legally binding referendum, says the time is not right.Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson agreed, saying Scots do not want "the division and rancor of another referendum campaign."

The Scottish parliament is likely to back Sturgeon's referendum demand in a vote on Tuesday, but it's unclear what could break the stalemate between Edinburgh and London.