Politicians in Glasgow responded to the First Minister’s announcement, split along party lines on the prospect of a second independence referendum.

Labour and Conservative MSPs opposed to independence said the First Minister was prepared to divide the country once again and vowed to oppose the plans.

Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP for Glasgow said: “ The truth is this is just a game for Nicola Sturgeon. She will say anything and do anything to get independence.

“Rather than focus on the issues that matter to the people of Glasgow like schools and hospitals, she wants to take us backwards to division and focus on independence.”

Stewart McDonald, Glasgow South MP, looked forward to a second campaign.

He said: “Politics is not a game, which is why I won’t sit back and hope for the best. Let’s have a new conversation on our country’s future.

“One way or another a new future awaits us, so let’s rise to the challenge and create a campaign that is new and looks to the future.”

Adam Tomkins Conservative MSP for Glasgow said: “The First Minister is talking a lot about choice but we made our choice. We said no.

“Yet here she is, choosing the path of division and uncertainty again.

“I was elected on a manifesto commitment to oppose a second independence referendum every step of the way. And I will.”

Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie, said people said Brexit meant the question had to put again.

He said: “The Greens welcome the Scottish Parliament’s consent being sought for a Section 30 order on an independence referendum and we will support it.

“Scotland’s votes and our voice have been ignored by a Tory government at Westminster which we did not vote for and a feeble Labour opposition.

“The people of Scotland deserve a choice between Hard Brexit Britain and putting our own future in our own hands.”