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Agence France-Presse

Scotland’s First Minister on Friday warned that a united Britain was “on borrowed time” unless Prime Minister David Cameron devolved more powers to Edinburgh, on the first anniversary of a historic independence referendum.
Scottish voters decided to stay part of the United Kingdom by 55 per cent to 45 per cent on September 18 last year, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told supporters that she would favour another referendum if polls showed renewed public demand.
Read more: Scottish referendum 'could be lesson in political engagement for Hong Kong'
“Only the people can decide if we will have another referendum,” the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said in the anniversary address.
“Only the people can decide when that will be. And only the people can decide if Scotland will become independent.”

Recent polls have shown an increased support for independence.
“Right now, what people see at Westminster is a Tory government failing to fully deliver on the vow it made on more powers for our parliament,” she said in the speech in a conference hall in Edinburgh.
“My message to David Cameron today is ... what happens to support for independence in the months and years to come will depend as much on what you do as it will on what we do.
“And, right now, you are living on borrowed time,” she added.
Marking the anniversary, Sturgeon said that the referendum had fundamentally changed Scotland.
“It changed for the better, and it changed for good... We discovered our voice, and found that as a nation we could make the world listen,” she said.

Her separatist SNP enjoyed a surge in popularity after the vote, going from holding just six seats in Britain’s national parliament in London to winning 56 – almost every seat in Scotland – in a general election in May.
The party is due to set out the circumstances that would cause it to seek another referendum in its manifesto for the Scottish regional elections in 2016.
One possible trigger would be if Britain were to vote to leave the European Union in a referendum due by 2017, Sturgeon has said in the past.
Read more: Nicola Sturgeon raises her profile in Hong Kong and China
But Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted the issue of independence was settled last year.
“We all agreed, as do the Scottish public, that the independence referendum should be a ’once in a generation’ or a ’once in a lifetime’ event,” Cameron said on Friday.
“So now it is time to move on.”
Polling expert John Curtice said that while those who would vote “Yes” for independence appeared to be on the increase, nationalists would not seek another vote without a decisive lead.
“The narrowness of the polls means the (SNP) party is reluctant to make an unequivocal commitment to holding a second referendum for fear that it could lose again.”


United Britain ‘on borrowed time’, Scottish leader says on anniversary of independence referendum

Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon gestures as she delivers a speech in Edinburgh on Friday. Photo: Reuters

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the referendum was a "once in a lifetime event". Photo: EPA

The referendum on independence for Scotland drew huge rallies in the lead-up to the vote. Photo: Reuters

Move on: PM Cameron rules out another Scottish independence vote

British Prime Minister David Cameron. Photo: EPA

The government will amend planned legislation on extra powers for Scotland to ensure the permanence of Scotland’s devolved parliament Holyrood, Cameron said. Photo: EPA

Scottish referendum could be lesson in political engagement for Hong Kong, says First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the South China Morning Post at the Island Shangri-La Hotel. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Nicola Sturgeon, visiting China and Hong Kong, raises her profile and promotes Scotland

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Scotland Hong Kong Centre for Carbon Innovation in Hong Kong. Photo: AP

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon poses at Island Shangri-La Hotel. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister, pictured with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Sturgeon in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Sturgeon celebrating the SNP election sweep in May. Photo: AFP

Sturgeon holding a copy of the Scottish independence white paper with Salmond in 2013. Photo: Reuters

Nicola Sturgeon: friend to the poor, scourge of the political dark-suits

Illustration: Craig Stephens

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Nicola Sturgeon said only the people of Scotland could decide if there would be another referendum


United Britain ‘on borrowed time’, Scottish leader says on anniversary of independence referendum

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Nicola Sturgeon said only the people of Scotland could decide if there would be another referendum

Nicola Sturgeon said only the people of Scotland could decide if there would be another referendum