THE SNP leadership has been accused of “surrender” over a second independence referendum after hinting the crisis in Ukraine could lead to a delay.
Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants Indyref2 by the end of the 2023, Covid permitting, although Boris Johnson has refused to give Holyrood the power to hold it.
With many senior Nationalists privately admitting the chance of a vote on the First Minister’s timetable is low, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford weighed into the debate to urge caution in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Alba party said it was the latest excuse for kicking the can down the road.
Speaking to the PA News Agency, the Skye MP said: “We have got to be respectful of the situation that we are in,” adding: “The only thing I am focusing on today is Ukraine.”
He said: “I want that referendum to take place in a timely manner. I want us to be able to execute the mandate that we have.
“To those that are expressing a desire for us to get on with our job, of course, we will do so, but we have to be mindful of where we are.”
“We have to play the ball where it lies just now and the only thing that I’m focusing on today is Ukraine.”
The comments were widely interpreted as the SNP hierarchy backing away from the 2023 date given polls suggesting Scotland remains evenly split on whether to leave the UK.
Although Ms Sturgeon has ordered officials to start work on a new prospectus, there are also worries in the Yes movement about the apparent lack of preparedness for Indyref2.
Key questions, such as which currency Scots would use and for how long after a Yes vote, remain unclear, while the public finances have deteriorated since the vote of 2014.
Former SNP cabinet secretary Kenny MacAskill, now deputy leader of Alex Salmond’s Alba party, said the Ukrainian crisis also generated arguments in favour of independence.
He said: “This is just the latest of many excuses from Mr Blackford. He’s promised a referendum the following year on an annual basis for quite some time now. This is just the latest attempt to justify the total inactivity of the SNP in pushing for independence.
“The war brings into sharp focus why independence is necessary for Scotland.
“The risk of an escalation sees Scotland unable to remove weapons of mass destruction from its shores.
“The humanitarian crisis that’s unfolding sees Scotland impotent to play its part in addressing the escalating refugee crisis.
“And finally the economic fallout from the conflict will see the cost of living crisis morph and increase the poverty many Scots are facing.
“Just as the powers of an independent nation are required to address the consequences of Covid, they’re also vital for Scotland in the world created by the invasion of Ukraine.”
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