Blackford ‘gratified’ by indy push break
POSTPONING plans for a second referendum has given the SNP a chance to discuss the “fundamentals” of independence, the party’s Westminster leader said yesterday.
Ian Blackford MP said he was “gratified” that the focus was no longer on the timetable for such a vote.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for a second referendum were being put on hold after the general election.
She told the Scottish Parliament she was going to “reset” the timetable which could have seen a referendum take place between autumn next year and spring 2019.
SNP Westminster leader Blackford said: “We’ve taken away the focus from the timetable now and I’m gratified that gives us the opportunity to talk about the fundamentals and about what an independent Scotland would look like.
“And I welcome that over the coming years.
“I joined this party because I believe in independence and it’s up to us to win the trust of people in Scotland.”
The Scottish Tories said the SNP had failed to listen to Scotland’s voters.
Murdo Fraser said: “People are crying out for the Scottish Government to start concentrating on improving our hospitals, schools and the economy.
“But instead, we have a narrow-minded administration that will stop at nothing until they have torn Scotland out of the UK.”