John Swinney has published a draft Bill setting out plans for another Scottish independence referendum, including the proposed question voters would be asked if the necessary powers are secured.

The Scottish Government published the legislation as part of its first 100 days programme, although it cannot be introduced to Parliament unless the power to hold the referendum is transferred.

The proposed question is the same straightforward choice put to voters in 2014, asking:

“Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No.”

The draft legislation also defines who would be entitled to vote, while a date for the referendum would be added when the Bill was formally introduced.

Publication of the draft follows a vote in May when, according to the Scottish Government, the largest number of pro independence MSPs in the history of the Scottish Parliament supported calling for referendum powers to be devolved to Holyrood.

The constitutional question therefore remains dependent on agreement from Westminster before the Scottish Government can proceed with the legislation outlined today.

First Minister John Swinney said:

“The world has changed fundamentally since 2014.

“So has the UK, and so has Scotland.

“While people living in the UK endure flatlining living standards and the economic damage caused by Brexit, countries all around us are enjoying a higher quality of life and have more wealth to invest in their public services, often without a fraction of the abundant resources and economic strengths that Scotland enjoys.

“In May, the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in history voted to support the call for powers to hold a referendum on Scottish independence to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

“This draft Bill is simple, straightforward and direct.

“It proposes a clear, unambiguous question, sets out who can vote in the referendum and, once agreed, will include the date.

“It provides people with certainty.

“What is now needed is the UK Government to respect the voice of the Scottish people and Parliament and transfer the necessary powers.

“Scotland is ready.

“The Scottish people are ready.

“It is time the UK Government delivered.

“I will have more to say about Scotland’s constitutional future in the coming weeks.

“Fundamentally, nobody will take better decisions about Scotland’s future than the people who live here.

“That future belongs to the people of Scotland and no one else.”