Path to a new Scots independence vote will be arduous

London

UK PRIME Minister Theresa May and her government, fighting a battle on many fronts over Britain's European Union (EU) exit, have been caught off guard by the sudden upsurge in support for a new referendum on Scottish independence.

Part of this is due to the British government's actions in overdoing the bid for a "hard Brexit", which would cut ties to the single market. This is anathema to the European-minded Scots - and has directly incited a campaign for a second plebiscite following the September 2014 independence vote that maintained Scotland's union in the UK.