How May's Election Bet Could Help Scots Independence Forces

Scots election campaign to focus on independence referendum
Scottish leader Sturgeon may emerge with reinforced mandate

Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May.
Photographer: Russell Cheyne/AFP via Getty Images

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By Rodney Jefferson

April 18, 2017 at 11:01 PM UTC

Updated on

April 19, 2017 at 8:28 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spent the past month pushing for a second referendum on independence -- only to end up with a different vote as a result of Prime Minister Theresa May’s surprise announcement of a U.K. general election on June 8.

While May is seeking to take advantage of the Labour opposition’s weakness to bolster her hand in talks with the European Union, polls suggest that she won’t be the only one to benefit. The Scottish National Party is forecast to sweep up again and Sturgeon may also emerge with a reinforced mandate.