MP says SNP to get tough with PM

The SNP’s 48 MPs could trigger a constitutional crisis by resigning their seats if Boris Johnson refuses to allow IndyRef2, according to a senior party figure.

Angus MacNeil bel ieves forcing by- elections across Scotland could be a route to establishing a mandate for independence if the Prime Minister ignores the SNP’s plan A of a legal referendum.

The explosive proposal would plunge the Commons into chaos in the wake of the Conservatives’ landslide election victory.

MacNeil, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said: “I am in favour of a plan B because if Boris doesn’t play ball with plan A, we can’t just say, ‘OK, you win,’ over and above the democratic will of the people.

“If the UK Government is saying there is no referendum for five years then plan B has to be a direct mandate from an election.

“All the MPs in Scotland could resign their seats. There would be 48 by- elections and at 48 by- elections you would come back with a direct electoral mandate for independence.

“We are not stuck for ideas. That is total blue sky thinking from me at the moment but we are now brainstorming ideas of what to do if Boris says no.

“My favoured choice is plan A and a referendum but we need alternatives. Let’s put things out there because we can’t go on with Boris in charge saying no.”

MacNeil has been outspoken within the SNP in demanding that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon considers other options to achieving independence should the UK Government refuse to issue a Section 30 order that would transfer powers to hold a referendum to Holyrood.

He added: “Boris Johnson needs to accept we have a bigger

Boris Johnson clearly had a good night, winning 44 per cent of the vote and well over half the seats. He has the mandate and the majority he needs to take the UK out of the European Union. However, it was the collapse of the

Labour Party that made all the difference on election night.

The SNP’s victory in Scotland was arguably more impressive