The Scottish Parliament has backed Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second independence referendum in a vote that could lead to Scotland separating from the UK. With 69 votes in favour of her proposal and 59 against, the Scottish First Minister ensured the mandate for a second referendum to take place between 2018 and 2019. The minority cabinet was able to win the vote after the Greens supported the move. The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson described the action as “regrettable”. UK PM Theresa May has already ruled out the possibility of Scotland holding a second referendum. A UK government spokesperson said Ms May would not be entering into talks over a Scottish referendum.