第二次苏格兰独立公投“看起来不可避免”

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

第二次苏格兰独立公投现在已近乎不可避免，部长级官员们已得出结论，这只是一个什么时候举行投票的问题，而不是会不会举行的问题。

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.

接近特里萨?梅(Theresa May)的政府的人士表示，他们预计苏格兰首席大臣尼古拉?斯特金(Nicola Sturgeon)将寻求在明年秋天举行全民公投，但英国政府将力争把公投延后至英国离开欧盟以后。

padding-bottom: 66.56%;">

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

虽然英国政府可以拒绝授权公投，但它现在似乎聚焦于确定投票日期。

“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.”

“这件事看起来不可避免，我不认为我们处于阻止它发生的任何地位，”接近相关讨论的一名部长级官员表示。了解唐宁街思路的另一人说道：“接下来的辩论将只是围绕日期。”

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，接近苏格兰事务部(Scotland Office)的一个人否认公投不可避免。此人指出，斯特金可能决定不推动公投。