02:12UK: Second independence referendum plans 'undoubtedly' factor in election - Sturgeon
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted that the possibility of a second vote on Scottish independence was "undoubtedly" a factor in the loss of 21 seats by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the UK General Election, at a press conference at Bute House, Edinburgh, Friday.
Sturgeon noted, "Undoubtedly, the issue of an independence referendum was a factor in this election result, but I think there were other factors in this election result as well."
Sturgeon argued that Brexit, tactical voting and "a surge towards [Labour Party Leader] Jeremy Corbyn" in the last days were some of the factors that had contributed to the election result. She noted, "Brexit and the issue of independence. Clearly, in the last few days of this campaign, we saw a surge towards Jeremy Corbyn, which we saw in parts of Scotland as well as across the rest of the UK. We've also seen tactical voting that at play in parts of Scotland."
In Thursday's election, the Conservative Party fell short of gaining the 326 seats needed to form a majority government. In a hung parliament, the Conservative government will remain in office until it is decided who will form a new government as a majority. Although there is no official time limit, the decision is expected to take shape by June 13, when the new parliament meets for the first time. If this cannot be decided, PM Theresa May will be expected to resign.
Corbyn managed to secure his parliamentary seat, receiving 40,086 votes in his constituency of Islington North, London. With exit polls projecting that the Conservatives will lose their majority in parliament, Corbyn told his supporters that it was a sign that Prime Minister Theresa May should step down.
The SNP took 35 seats of Scotland's 59 seats, which was 21 down of the vote they secured in 2015.
02:12Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted that the possibility of a second vote on Scottish independence was "undoubtedly" a factor in the loss of 21 seats by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the UK General Election, at a press conference at Bute House, Edinburgh, Friday.
Sturgeon noted, "Undoubtedly, the issue of an independence referendum was a factor in this election result, but I think there were other factors in this election result as well."
Sturgeon argued that Brexit, tactical voting and "a surge towards [Labour Party Leader] Jeremy Corbyn" in the last days were some of the factors that had contributed to the election result. She noted, "Brexit and the issue of independence. Clearly, in the last few days of this campaign, we saw a surge towards Jeremy Corbyn, which we saw in parts of Scotland as well as across the rest of the UK. We've also seen tactical voting that at play in parts of Scotland."
In Thursday's election, the Conservative Party fell short of gaining the 326 seats needed to form a majority government. In a hung parliament, the Conservative government will remain in office until it is decided who will form a new government as a majority. Although there is no official time limit, the decision is expected to take shape by June 13, when the new parliament meets for the first time. If this cannot be decided, PM Theresa May will be expected to resign.
Corbyn managed to secure his parliamentary seat, receiving 40,086 votes in his constituency of Islington North, London. With exit polls projecting that the Conservatives will lose their majority in parliament, Corbyn told his supporters that it was a sign that Prime Minister Theresa May should step down.
The SNP took 35 seats of Scotland's 59 seats, which was 21 down of the vote they secured in 2015.