Scottish independence vote possible in ’23

Scotland’s leader said Monday she will renew her push for independence from the United Kingdom next year, with the aim of holding a referendum on secession in 2023.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the independence campaign, stalled by the pandemic, “will resume in earnest’’ in spring 2022, “COVID permitting.’’

“In the course of next year, I will initiate the process necessary to enable a referendum before the end of 2023,” Sturgeon told a conference of her Scottish National Party.

“And just as importantly, our party will set out afresh the positive case for independence.’’

Scottish voters opted to remain part of the United Kingdom by a margin of 55 per cent to 45 per cent in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a once-in-a-generation choice.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose government must agree to a binding referendum. He is adamant he won’t consent, meaning any push for a new vote could end up in the courts.