‘People are tired of the divisive politics of SNP’
Labour MSP calls on Sturgeon to focus on governing
Monica Lennon has urged Nicola Sturgeon to deliver for East Kilbride instead of talking about another Scottish independence referendum.
The call comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon put proposals for a second vote on the backburner and vowed to focus on Brexit talks.
However, the SNP leader added that her mandate to call a second referendum is still “beyond doubt”.
Ms Lennon, a Central Scotland list MSP for Labour, stated that the First Minister should visit East Kilbride to see the damage the focus on independence has caused.
“The General Election saw Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP lose 21 seats and its vote share collapse,” she said.
“That’s because people are tired of the divisive politics of the SNP and they want Nicola Sturgeon to focus on governing.
“The First Minister announced in the Scottish Parliament that her referendum bill is dead but Monica Lennon
then told the media she will seek to ‘grow the independence movement.’ She’s just not listening to people.
“My message to Nicola Sturgeon is come to East Kilbride and tell people what you are doing to deliver homes, to give our hospital the resources it needs and what you are doing to repair the damage that’s been done to our education system during your 10 years in government.”
Tory Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson slammed Ms Sturgeon’s comments, adding that the recent General Election showed there was no appetite for another referendum.
“The First Minister’s statement was a fudge,” he insisted.
“She has not put IndyRef2 to bed, she has not killed it off.
“She said she has consulted and reflected but she seems more in hock to the legions in the Yes movement than to Scotland as a whole.
“Scotland clearly voted against having another referendum in the recent General Election.
“You would have thought the First Minister would realise that the SNP lost half a million votes and 21 seats precisely because she refused to give us all a break.
“Nicola Sturgeon needs to tell us that there will be no IndyRef2 any time soon and take it off the table altogether.”
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani stated Brexit was the top priority for the SNP at the moment.
She said: “Since the Westminster election, in which the SNP won a clear majority of the seats, the First Minister has talked with people across Scotland.
“It has become clear to her and her colleagues in the SNP that many people are worried about the continuing uncertainty of Brexit and the lack of any clarity about what that actually means.
“So, whilst most people agree that our future should not be imposed upon us, it was felt that it is too soon to make a firm decision about the precise timing of a referendum.
“Scotland’s position will be assessed at the end of the Brexit negotiation process when I hope everyone is clearer about the impact.
“The First Minister will come back to the Scottish Parliament at that point – likely to be next autumn – to set out her judgment, including on the precise timescale of offering people a choice over Scotland’s future.
“Meanwhile, we will of course press Scotland’s case in the Brexit negotiations – people have also confirmed this as a priority and it is the responsibility of all politicians in Scotland, regardless of party or political belief to push for the best deal possible for the country.”