Sturgeon under pressure as MP joins Nat retreat over IndyRef2
PRESSURE is mounting on Nicola Sturgeon to outline her position on IndyRef2 as more senior SNP figures called for the vote to be postponed.
Tommy Sheppard MP said: “Amidst the chaos in Westminster, it seems certain that a hard Brexit is now off the table and the possibility of bespoke solutions for nations and regions is growing.
“It follows, therefore, that it is now an option to wait until the Brexit negotiations conclude before forming a view on whether the extent of change justifies a second independence referendum.
“This would mean that whilst a second referendum remains an option, the timetable gets parked.”
Ex-SNP political adviser Alex Bell said the party should “shut up about IndyRef2” and commit to improving health and education.
Former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill also claimed the SNP should “abandon” their IndyRef2 push.
Scots Secretary David Mundell said the general election results, when the SNP lost 21 of their 56 seats, showed Scots don’t want IndyRef2.
He added: “Sturgeon should be absolutely clear with the people of Scotland, as members of her own party are indicating, and take that threat off the table. I don’t see any circumstances in which there is going to be an independence referendum before the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.”