Independence not on ‘back burner’

Britain is a“sinking ship”and independence should not be“put on the back burner”, MP Mhairi Black insists.

The Paisley Nat called for a renewed drive towards separation from the rest of the UK after the last general election result.

She told the SNP conference the union has become“economically selfish, increasingly xenophobic, cruel and reckless”.

Mhairi called for a fresh referendum on Scotland’s future.

She said:“Some people are saying we should put independence on the back burner – why would we ever?

“We should never be scared to talk about anything in society.

“The idea that because we had one vote on the matter we can never exercise our democratic rights on the matter ever again is utterly ridiculous.

“If you believe in a United Kingdom so much, why be afraid to ask the people of Scotland the same question again?

“Independence has never been about flags or nationalists thinking we’re better than anyone else.

“Independence is about vision and hope. It’s about being free to run the kind of society we want without hindrance.”

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP told the party faithful in Glasgow that parties should give voters a voice.

The SNP lost 21 seats at Westminster during the May ballot and saw its share of the vote drop to 27 per cent from two years ago.

Mhairi added:“Yes there are people who will always vote No, regardless. There are people who are loyal and sentimental to the United Kingdom, no matter what.

“So let me say to those people you will still be able to vote No as freely as you did last time, but why should we ever fear debate and democracy in action in our country?”