A FORMER SNP MP has accused the party’s leadership of failing to seize the opportunity offerd by the constitutional crisis over Brexit to push for independence.
George Kerevan said the SNP leadership was guilty of “passivity” and being “at the mercy of events instead of shaping them”.
As the Commons was convulsed by a debate over no-deal yesterday, Mr Kerevan tweeted: “May’s Brexit deal collapsed. UK govt proposing new tariffs. Business investment falling. Growth stalling. UK political system in gridlock. Why is SNP not calling IndyRef2? Passivity NOT an option.”
He later told The Herald: “I think SNP leadership is being reactive rather than proactive which means you are at the mercy of events instead of shaping them.”
Mr Kerevan, the MP for East Lothian from 2015 to 2017, has become a regular critic of Nicola Sturgeon’s approach to independence since losing his seat.
He is currently mounting a grassroots challenge to the SNP’s Growth Commission at the party’s conference next month.
The economic blueprint for independence recommended tight public spending to cut the deficit and keeping the pound for a decade after a Yes vote.
Mr Kerevan is urging party activists to insist on a new Scottish currency in the first term of an independent parliament.
Ms Sturgeon says Brexit makes the independence case “stronger than ever”.
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