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。

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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，我不認為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説道：“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。