Indyref 2 threat puts our future at risk

THE time for political recrimination over the result of last June’s EU referendum has long passed.

The decision of British voters to leave was absolutely clear and it is incumbent on all politicians now to ensure that the UK’s departure from the European club is as smooth and painless as possible.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Theresa May made a speech in which she called for the co-operation of all devolved Governments as we move towards Brexit. How we wish her political opponents could find it in themselves to see the wisdom of this.

Mrs May was in favour of remaining in the EU. She believed that the UK’s best interests were served by staying in a reformed Europe.

But the people of the UK have spoken, making clear their desire for the nation to leave and build new relationships with global partners. The Prime Minister, quite correctly, sees it as her duty now to ensure that Brexit proceeds and that Britain succeeds in its aftermath.

Mrs May was quite clear in her speech that she wants all parts of the UK to come together to see that the best possible Brexit deal is achieved.

Here was an opportunity for the SNP to set aside its grievances and to play a part in that process. Of course, Scottish Nationalists could not bring themselves to do so. Instead, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded to the Prime Minister’s thoughtful words by saying that a second referendum on Scottish independence was now more likely.

This was sadly predictable stuff from the SNP. It is difficult to imagine what circumstances – other than the achievement of Scottish independence – might not make it ‘more likely’ that a second referendum is called.

Since the EU referendum, Miss Sturgeon has repeated her assertion that the break-up of the UK is on the cards. There’s just one small problem: a clear majority of Scots remain strongly supportive of the maintenance of the UK.

The First Minister dearly wishes Brexit would be the trigger for Scottish independence but this desire is not enough to make her dream a reality.

Scots rejected the SNP’s proposals in 2014 for a number of reasons but chief among them was uncertainty over issues such as currency and debt. The SNP has spectacularly failed to address these crucial questions and, until it does, Scottish independence will surely remain the preference of the minority.

Yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said that Brexit as outlined by the Prime Minister would be economically catastrophic for Scotland. The First Minister’s chutzpah is to be admired but the truth remains that the break-up of the UK would plunge our country into a financial black hole that would require massive tax hikes and swingeing cuts to public services.

The First Minister has already ruled out a second independence referendum in 2017. This is the preference of a majority of Scots. This being so, the challenge for the SNP is not to find new ways to complain but to think about how it can work co-operatively in the interests of the whole UK.

Scotland is a proud partner in the UK and our devolved Government should remember that.

In the months to come, senior figures from across the political spectrum can choose either to play a part in creating the climate for an acceptable Brexit deal or they can encourage uncertainty and recrimination that will only work against the interests of the UK, including Scotland. Yesterday was the SNP’s chance to show that it could rise above its petty obsessions in the name of the common good. It is hugely disappointing that Miss Sturgeon was unable to lead her party in doing just that.