第二次蘇格蘭獨(dú)立公投“看起來(lái)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.

第二次蘇格蘭獨(dú)立公投現(xiàn)在已近乎不可避免，部長(zhǎng)級(jí)官員們已得出結(jié)論，這只是一個(gè)什么時(shí)候舉行投票的問(wèn)題，而不是會(huì)不會(huì)舉行的問(wèn)題。

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.

接近特里薩•梅(Theresa May)的政府的人士表示，他們預(yù)計(jì)蘇格蘭首席大臣尼古拉•斯特金(Nicola Sturgeon)將尋求在明年秋天舉行全民公投，但英國(guó)政府將力爭(zhēng)把公投延后至英國(guó)離開(kāi)歐盟以后。

Although the British government could withhold the legal authority for a vote, it now appears focused on determining the date instead.

雖然英國(guó)政府可以拒絕授權(quán)公投，但它現(xiàn)在似乎聚焦于確定投票日期。

“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.”

“這件事看起來(lái)不可避免，我不認(rèn)為我們處于阻止它發(fā)生的任何地位，”接近相關(guān)討論的一名部長(zhǎng)級(jí)官員表示。了解唐寧街思路的另一人說(shuō)道：“接下來(lái)的辯論將只是圍繞日期。”

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，接近蘇格蘭事務(wù)部(Scotland Office)的一個(gè)人否認(rèn)公投不可避免。此人指出，斯特金可能決定不推動(dòng)公投。