Whenever, is another crucial milestone on the rocky road which is the debate for the last 10 years. Nobody arguing that the eu was perfect. I think it is a force for good. For jobs, services and workers rights. Lets avoid all costs and wastelands. Thank you. [applause] 40 years ago we experienced the first referendum, at a time when the party was divided. After it the nature of these negotiations being carried out were not entirely clear. Of course, must have changed. It is now a member union of 28 states. My own party has fully embraced the eu, recognizing its importance to scotland. In contrast to the 1975 government, government ministers that were not to be free to campaign, or at least that seems that way, we are more likely to have a referendum. It is appropriate to make this referendum something that the public can engage in fully. That should mean not only votes for 16yearolds and the team 16yearolds and 17yearolds, but for eu citizen. Those from other european states whose citizens live amongst us. Westminster is saying no to colleagues, they want to extend the franchise they are likely to be affected if the decision is taken by the u. K. To pull out of the eu. I know this legislation will not impact on the referendum passed, but it is a direction of travel for this government. The Scottish Government is proposing a double lot, so that they can pull out that they cannot be forced to pull out against their will. The United States the United Kingdom does not have a written constitution. In canada, all federal states must agree to a proposal in regards to the monarchy. So protection is not unknown. Im heartened that have both support of wales and Northern Ireland. In 2013, there was a 46 to summation of scottish imports and 3000 jobs depend on that. There are frustrations with the eu, they need reform, the solidarity needs to be given much better respect. The importance given to subsidiarity in the lisbon treaty, we need to tend to we need clarification on how the relationship between countries within the eu and outside should work to ensure that the interests of those outside are protected. But one thing to reform from within, we must be perceived last week we heard evidence that negotiations may not be straightforward. Professor keating said in relation to welfare benefits, if britain is going to restrict things there will be action against british citizens elsewhere. Dr. Daniel can you said, if there is a dollars between the u. K. And europe about reforming the eu for the benefit of everybody, the public may have appetite for a longer debate, as opposed to what would happen if the debate is presented as a battle with europe. Thatll with europe might suit some of the tory right, but i would question is that would benefit the u. K. Of course we need to ensure this debate extends beyond the issue of whether removing benefits will require treaty change. Do we want to see a u. K. That turns its back on europeans, to refuse to provide Financial Assistance to greece and portugal, do we want a u. K. That turns its back on the refugee crisis in the mediterranean, or one that recognizes that this is not just a problem for greece and portugal, but the u. K. And eu as a whole. We seek to protect this is a government that talks about europe, but its actions indicate that it is not understand europe fully. A review was started in 2012 by the tory coalition, there was a review of what the eu does and how it affects the u. K. Seeking to inform debate, but not finding conclusions. This year, the eu Committee Said it had made no impact on public debate on the eu and u. K. Relationship. As professor keating said, the review has not found any that could be appropriately attributed to the u. K. In brussels, promise or said that the u. K. Has much to offer europe come about much to learn. The alternative is not a prospect. On thursday, nichola sturgeon told an audience that the u. S. Would have nothing to fear if scotland were to ever become an independent nation. She works for the National Party that won seats in the british house of commons. To talks implications of scotland. This is just over an hour. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to this session on the council on foreign relations. Im judy woodruff, and im delighted to be with you this morning to preside over a discussion with the first minister of scotland. Nicola sturgeon was elected deputy leader of the snp in 2004. And in that capacity, she went on to become a highprofile figure in the Scottish Parliament and scottish politics, leading to her historymaking election as leader of the snp in november of last year. She became the first woman to hold the position, first minister of scotland, but she made further history two months ago after a Vigorous Campaign when her party won a landslide in the u. K. General elections capturing 56 of 59 seats designated for scotland in the national parliament. She will begin by making remarks, and then ill sit down with her for a conversation before we take your questions. Please join me in welcoming the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon. [ applause ] first minister sturgeon thank you very much indeed, judy for that very warm introduction. Thank you to all of you for being here this morning. It is a real pleasure for me to be here. Its a real pleasure for me to be here in the United States here in washington, d. C. And in, particular, to be here at the council on foreign relations, august and wellrespected organization not just in the United States but worldwide. One of the things ive been reminded of often since i arrived on this visit to the u. S. , the weekend, is the fact that the very deep bonds between scotland and the United States go back centuries. They run from the discussion and debate between enlightenment thinkers, benjamin franklin, to the modern exchange from university graduates, and the connections between our technology companies. The relationship between our countries is cultural, social, historic and economic. We value those links and ties there he highly. From what i have seen this week is that those ties are set to continue and strengthen for generations to come. Nick is a real pleasure to be here. It has contributed to that exchange of ideas. I am very aware there is a Strong Development and political elements. In political elements. And the implications for europe and the wider International Community. I will provide my thoughts on where the United Kingdom and scotland stand right now. I will talk about two referendums and one election. I will talk about what took place last year and the u. K. General election that took place just last month. I look forward to the referendum on the membership of the European Union that is expected to take place sometime before the end of 2017. The exact timing is not yet determined. As you are probably ever able to guess, the Scottish Referendum did not turn out exactly as i would hope it would. While the referendum might not have planned for scotlands constitutional position, it transformed scottish politics. I would argue it had a transformational effect as well. That referendum has made scotland one of the most politically engaged countries i would argue in the entire world. Nearly everybody in scotland became involved in a peaceful debate about the type of country they want to live in. That has had lasting consequences. The u. K. General elections last month turnout was five Percentage Points higher that it was in the rest of the United Kingdom. Many people who perhaps didnt have any interest in how the country was governed now understood their voice really matters. They feel involved in decisionmaking in a way that has not happened before, certainly not in my lifetime. The referendum itself, the experience has been good for scotland. Were more energized and empowered that we have been before. To the casual observer, the u. K. Elections are a clear result. It resulted in the election of a majority government with David Cameron as Prime Minister. Something exciting and much more complex. In many ways there were actually four different elections taking place last month. Those elections produced very different results. The differences have very significant implications for the u. K. And how i discovered as a country. My party, the scottish National Party, won the election in scotland. Labor won the election in wales. Northern ireland has had a different system of party politics. The multinational United Kingdom voted in four different very ways. In practical terms winning enough seats can secure a majority. The question arises. What kind of mandate is that . The conservative party has the right to form the government of the u. K. And has done that, but its not the Biggest Party in three of four nations in the u. K. As i discussed with the Prime Minister when we met after the election what happens in the years ahead will at least in part depend upon how responsibly westminster deals with the reality. The u. K. Is not a unitary state. There is no second scottish independent referendum on the immediate horizon. I think its a reasonable point to make, that if the United Kingdom is to remain intact in must demonstrate it can adapt to multinational and multiparty politics in a far more substantial manner than it has done in the past. We are very interested in governments making decisions about important issues. That is not something they are used to. The u. K. Has been a remarkably centralized state. It is now clear for the United Kingdom as a whole, one size does not fit all. Distinct political identities which seem to be emerging in different parts of the u. K. Are also relevant. The coming referendum on the membership in the European Union is of huge significance, but i found in the United States is a matter of Significant Interest to people as well. What many people in the u. K. Find odd about this referendum is both of the biggest parties say they want to stay in the European Union. There is support in the Westminster Parliament. Yet here we are standing perilously close to the exit door of the eu. The eurosceptic opinion are unlikely to be appeased i are renegotiated membership of the European Union. If it seems awed in the u. K. As a whole that the referendum is looming, the approach seems especially odd for people in scotland. Parties that were to leave the European Union or 12 . In scotland it was less than 2 . We have seen an opinion poll showing 72 would ought to vote to remain in the European Union was only 28 said they would opt to leave. That is not surprising. In scotland alone there are 300,000 jobs. I would argue for many people in scotland the referendum on the eu simply isnt a priority. Scotland could be taken out of the European Union again, and thats why the european question is in some ways linked to the question of how the u. K. Is governed. What is seen of the Scottish Referendum is articulated that scotland is a valued an equal partner in the u. K. Family of nations. Surely, as many people in scotland would say, it shouldnt be possible for scotland forced to be overruled in the eu referendum. That is why scotland is voting for a double referendum. It is each of the nations vote to lead. I think its time to apply it to the United Kingdom, a multinational state, to give sense to the feeling that the u. K. Is a family of nations. I said last week in a speech in brussels that if scotland does find itself taken out of the European Union against a vote from scotland to remained in, it could produce a demand for another independent referendum that may be unstoppable. I argue the u. K. Government has it within their power to remove that responsibility i agree to the double majority we have going forward. The referendum legislation to demonstrate what we are told that the u. K. Government does see it as a family of nations. I see that as a clear way we condemn it rate that weekend a data to a multinational that we can adapt to a multinational system. It is clear from what i said. It is clear from observing politics that these are exciting times for scotland and for the u. K. As a whole. That brings challenges but also considerable opportunities area and the coming months and years bring us a chance to build a powerhouse economy and ensure a more equal society. They also provide an opportunity to secure better governments across the u. K. , and they will see a vote that will have a place in the European Union. They require positive arguments. They require negotiations for political leaders across the u. K. I am sure the Scottish Government will take the lead in contributing to those negotiations. If we achieve these objectives, it will be good for scotland and every nation in the u. K. , and it will ensure our place in europe. It helps to strengthen our friendship and alliances here in the heart of the United States and across the world. I am looking forward to the discussion that will follow. [applause] welcome, and thank you for talking with us. You raised the question of whether the conservative Party Victory in england is one of the four nations. One of the four Nations Holding an election can be considered to have a mandate. I guess i first question is if it is not a mandate, what is it . Are you saying David Cameron is not legitimately the leader of the u. K. . Im not saying that. The constitution understands David Cameron is the Prime Minister. He won the election and got enough votes across the u. K. To form a government. That is what he has done. The point i am making is a point of political reality. Because of the relative size of england compared to the other nations, David Cameron was able to form a government. My argument is he needs to accept in the other nations his party did not win, and in how he governs the country that is something he should take account of, and he should respond to the democratic wishes in scotland and wales and Northern Ireland. In many respects how he and his government respond will determine at least in part how the United Kingdom develops over the coming years. For people in scotland we are washing quite carefully to see how David Camerons government response. If westminster is adaptive, it will be better. Are we to understand there is a new relationship between scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom . They are partners regardless of whether they become an independent country is integral. The United Kingdom has never been a united stations. We have seen an asymmetry developed. We have seen different priorities emerge in each of these nations. That does bring into focus the relationship between the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom government. I think it is a big test of the United Kingdom. Is it adaptive and responsible . Can it accommodate the Different Directions to go in, or will it proved to be unresponsive . Perhaps the United Kingdom will not continue as the construct it is. Watching from the other side of the atlantic, i think Many Americans look at what is going on and say, if scotland were to become independent, that greatly weakens the United Kingdom. What do you think . I have never held that view. One of the things i have been talking about in the United States is if scotland had become an independent country, there is no second independent referendum on the immediate horizon. The United States would go from having one close ally in the United Kingdom to having to close allies. I dont believe that we can United Kingdom in an international context. Scotland would always css its closest ally defending the security of the United Kingdom. Would always see us as its closest ally, defending the security of the United Kingdom. If anything, it would strengthen the position. The United Kingdom can be strengthened by demonstrating how it responds to the will of people. In the meantime, while there is not an action right now to move towards independence, they clearly are looking at ways to have scotland exert more authority over its own affairs. Your deputy leader was quoted as saying the s p is going to push for full fiscal autonomy, which is we understand i