THE Scottish government has published draft legislation to hold a second independence referendum, vowing to introduce its Bill at Holyrood once the necessary powers are secured.

The draft Independence Referendum Bill defines the legal right to vote, will include a date upon introduction and set out that the question for the referendum would ask: “Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “The world has changed fundamentally since 2014. So has the UK, and so has Scotland.

“While people living in the UK endure flatlining living standards and the economic damage caused by Brexit, countries all around us are enjoying a higher quality of life and have more wealth to invest in their public services — often without a fraction of the abundant resources and economic strengths that Scotland enjoys.”

He added the Bill “provides people with certainty. What is now needed is the UK government to respect the voice of the Scottish people and Parliament and transfer the necessary powers.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will not consider agreeing to a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “Scotland can have a fairer, greener and better future as a normal independent country. 

“There is a growing demand for it, the people of Scotland made that clear when they voted the largest group of pro-independence MSPs only four months ago.

“It is an anti-democratic outrage that the Tories and Labour have lined up to cast a veto against our Parliament.

“Any union of countries should have clear mechanisms through which members can leave, but Labour has refused to even spell-out what it thinks would be legitimate.”