The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Johnson rules out indyref vote despite FM call
PM sees ‘no reason’ to go back on ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ referendum claim
Boris Johnson has ruled out granting permission for a second Scottish independence vote while he is prime minister – despite Nicola Sturgeon insisting “things have changed” since the country voted to stay part of the UK five years ago.
Mr Johnson insisted there was no reason to go back on assurances given by SNP leaders in 2014 that the referendum then was a “once-in-a-generation” event.
He made the comments after the first minister revealed she is to request the power to hold a legally-binding independence referendum within days of the December 12 general election.
She believes Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will grant her a Section 30 order if he is voted in to Downing Street.
The PM, speaking on Sky News yesterday, said: “The British people, the people of Scotland, were told in 2014 that that was a once-in-a-generation event. I don’t see any reason to go back on that, on that assurance.”
Mr Johnson spoke out after the SNP leader urged Scots to use the December 12 election to “demand the right to choose a better future”.
She told a rally in Glasgow on Saturday that Scotland is at a crossroads, arguing independence is a “better alternative” to Brexit and remaining in the UK.
Ms Sturgeon told Sophy Ridge On Sunday the PM had “omitted to recognise the fact that many things have changed since Scotland had an independence referendum in 2014, not least we face being taken out of the EU against our will”.