Ian Blackford has given a strong signal that Nicola Sturgeon will soon make an announcement about a second Scottish independence referendum and “how exactly” the SNP is going to stage one in the face of the UK Government’s opposition.
Speaking after a meeting at Westminster with Jeremy Corbyn alongside fellow opposition party leaders on the issue of a People’s Vote – which the Labour leader again failed to rally behind – the SNP's Westminster leader volunteered the issue of a second vote on Scotland’s future to reporters.
He declared that the SNP leadership would “not allow” Scotland to be dragged out of the EU against the expressed wishes of the people of Scotland.
The Highland MP stressed that his primary responsibility and that of Nicola Sturgeon was to defend the economic interests of Scotland and if that was going to be harmed by Brexit, then “of course, we have to take the action that’s in the best interests of the people of Scotland”.
Noting how there was a chaotic Westminster Establishment and a dysfunctional Conservative Government, he noted: “We understand the responsibilities we have got and I would say to Westminster that if the FM does recommend that the Parliament exercises the mandate that it has from 2016 to have an independence referendum with a desire that an independent Scotland remains in the EU, then we must and we will have that vote.”
But asked how the Scottish Government was going to realise a second independence referendum – given the UK Government has repeatedly said it would not facilitate one – Mr Blackford replied: “Leave that with us and we will tell you when we make that decision.”
But the Nationalist leader then hinted people might not have to wait too long for the First Minister’s announcement.
“We will give you the answer but we haven’t made the announcement; when the FM determines that it’s right to make that announcement, then we will talk to you more expansively as to how exactly we are going to do it.”
Last week, Ms Sturgeon gave a strong hint that she would push for a second independence referendum before the next Holyrood election in 2021.
She told a foreign newspaper not to forget she was "elected on a very clear mandate" to have another poll if Scotland was dragged out the EU against its will. Asked if her government might wait until after 2021 before pressing the UK to grant another vote, she replied: "I wouldn't say that at all."
The FM has repeatedly delayed her long-awaited update on a referendum because of Brexit uncertainty, promising over several months that an announcement would come "in a few weeks".
Given the crisis at Westminster and the prospect of another meaningful vote next week, Ms Sturgeon could make her announcement within the next few days.
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