Sturgeon resignation might delay new Scotland independence vote by five years

MSPs to decide whether to scrap using next election as ‘de facto referendum’

Senior figures in the Scottish National party believe Nicola Sturgeon’s shock resignation might delay a fresh independence referendum by at least five years.

Sturgeon’s decision to quit is widely expected to mean plans for a special conference on her proposals to use the next election as a single issue “de facto referendum” on independence will be scrapped.