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。

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。