An SNP MP has told the Commons that demand for a second independence referendum from the Scottish Parliament must be adhered to.
Pete Wishart issued the warning as he discussed the unprecedented strain between the governments in London and Edinburgh over Brexit.
The chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee told MPs things must change dramatically to offer parity between the UK.
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During a debate marking 20 years since devolution, he said: “What we have found is that inter-governmental relations are under pressure like never before.”
He added: "They have been challenged within an inch of their lives by Brexit.”
He claimed that the relationships between the governments have not kept pace with the developments of devolution saying: “The machinery for dialogue and engagement has not kept up with the evolving dynamics of devolution.
“On a sub-political level, the work between civil servants, for example, continues unabated.”
He went on to warn any calls for a second independence referendum from the Scottish Parliament must be adhered to.
He said: “This is a matter for the Scottish people. The Scottish people should always get what the Scottish people want.”
SNP MP Tommy Sheppard told the Commons “Unionist support for devolution has been motivated by a desire to contain demands for independence” and cited former Tory MP Enoch Powell’s dictum “power devolved is power retained”.
But Sheppard went on to say that the successes of devolution had prompted many in Scotland to think about independence, particularly in light of the resistance from the UK Government to hand over more powers to Holyrood.
“From drug policy to broadcasting, employment law to food standards, there is so much we would like to do but cannot because of the constraints of the current devolution arrangements,” he said.
“It’s worth stating that this is not necessarily an argument for independence. All the things I’ve just listed could be achieved through further devolution.
“But what is so remarkable is that those who once claimed the legacy of the home-rulers refuse to countenance a single further power being devolved. It is this obstinacy that is fulling the demand for independence.”
SNP MP David Linden also called for a second independence referendum.
He said: “If they are still confident that people in Scotland wish to be a part of the United Kingdom, ask them.”
The First Minister has indicated her intention to hold a new vote on independence in the second half of next year, in line with her party’s manifesto pledge to have a second vote if there was a change in material circumstances from the vote in 2014, such as Scotland “being pulled out of the EU against its will”. A bill is going through Holyrood to set out the rules for the vote.
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However, Prime Minister Theresa May and the two contenders to succeed her, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, are opposed to a new independence referendum.
A number of polls have suggested support for independence would rise if Johnson becomes PM, with one last month indicating it would be around 53%.
In the Commons Cabinet Office minister, Kevin Foster dismissed a survey of Tory members which suggested 63% believed Brexit was more important than keeping the UK together, saying: “I’m a Unionist and I want to see this Union remain together. That poll is absolute rubbish.”
Labour’s Paul Sweeney said some powers Holyrood had to change income tax or welfare were not being used, adding: “The existing powers of the Scottish Parliament must be used effectively – that being said, new powers may well be needed to make a real difference in tackling the problems [Scotland faces].”
This article appeared in our sister paper The National
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