Labour and the Conservatives again stated their opposition to a second referendum with both party leaders arguing the country did not want another referendum.

Together with the Liberal Democrats, every Labour, Conservative MSP voted against the Scottish Government’s proposal to seek powers to hold a second vote.

Kezia Dugdale, Labour leader, said: “Scotland doesn’t need or want a second independence referendum.

“There is absolutely no evidence that another divisive referendum is the will of the people of Scotland.

“We need the SNP government to get on with the job of governing. That means focusing on jobs, growing the economy and helping family incomes.”

During the debate the Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson delivered an angry response to the plan for a referendum, at one point even telling the First Minister to “sit down” when Ms Sturgeon asked to intervene during her speech.

She said: “We have made it clear, now is not the time to go back to another divisive referendum. Not when there is no public support for one. Not when the SNP said the last referendum would be once in a generation. Not when we have no clear picture as to what either Brexit or independence will look like.”

Willie Rennie, LibDem leader said: ““If this debate has shown us anything it’s that The SNP and Greens case for yet another independence referendum is increasingly feeble.

“The SNP refuse to guarantee EU membership while the Greens are still trying to find that petition with one million names on it.”