Opposition leaders in Holyrood have branded Nicola Sturgeon’s referendum demand “utterly irresponsible”.
Ruth Davidson said the First Minister has decided to “double down on division and uncertainty” by putting Scotland through another secession campaign.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said another referendum will cause further uncertainty and division.
Nicola Sturgeon said she will seek Holyrood’s approval for a section 30 order, which would enable Scotland to hold indyref2 if approved by Westminster.
The Scottish Greens say they will vote for the order, which gives Ms Sturgeon the pro-independence majority in parliament she needs.
Ms Davidson said: “The First Minister’s proposal offers Scotland the worst of all worlds.
“Her timetable would force people to vote blind on the biggest political decision a country could face.
“This is utterly irresponsible and has been taken by the First Minister purely for partisan political reasons.”
Ms Dugdale said: “Scotland is already divided enough. We do not want to be divided again, but that is exactly what another independence referendum would do.”
Mr Rennie said: “There is no wide public support for a new and divisive referendum.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats stood on a manifesto to oppose a divisive referendum and we will do that.”
Ms Sturgeon said earlier that a hard Brexit, a Tory power grab from the Scottish Parliament and the lack of credible opposition in Westminster means Scots must get the right to choose their own future.
“The detailed arrangements for a referendum – including its timing – must be for the Scottish Parliament to decide.
“However, in my view, it is important that Scotland is able to exercise the right to choose our own future at a time when the options are clearer than they are now – but before it is too late to decide on our own path.”
