第二次蘇格蘭獨立公投“看起來不可避免”

A second Scottish independence referendum is now almost inevitable, with ministers concluding it is a question of when — not if — a vote is called.

第二次蘇格蘭獨立公投現在已近乎不可避免，部長級官員們已得出結論，這只是一個什麼時候舉行投票的問題，而不是會不會舉行的問題。

People close to Theresa May’s administration said they expect Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, to seek a referendum next autumn, but that the government will fight to delay the vote until after Britain leaves the EU.

接近特里薩?梅(Theresa May)的政府的人士表示，他們預計蘇格蘭首席大臣尼古拉?斯特金(Nicola Sturgeon)將尋求在明年秋天舉行全民公投，但英國政府將力爭把公投延後至英國離開歐盟以後。

Although the British government could withhold the legal authority for a vote, it now appears focused on determining the date instead.

雖然英國政府可以拒絕授權公投，但它現在似乎聚焦於確定投票日期。

“It’s looking inevitable, I don’t think we’re in any position to stop it happening,” said one minister close to the discussions. Another person briefed on Downing Street’s thinking said: “ The debate is only going to be about the date.”

“這件事看起來不可避免，我不認爲我們處於阻止它發生的任何地位，”接近相關討論的一名部長級官員表示。瞭解唐寧街思路的另一人說道：“接下來的辯論將只是圍繞日期。”

But a person close to the Scotland Office denied that a vote was inevitable, adding that Ms Sturgeon could decide not to push for one.

但是，接近蘇格蘭事務部(Scotland Office)的一個人否認公投不可避免。此人指出，斯特金可能決定不推動公投。