May silent on level of Tory votes needed to reject new referendum
NO 10 has declined to say how Theresa May will judge if Scots heed her call to use the local elections to voice opposition to another independence referendum.
The Prime Minister said in a magazine piece at the weekend that the May 4 vote was a chance to send a “clear message to the SNP” by voting Conservative.
But No 10 refused to say what level of support for her party would suggest that Scots had rejected a second vote.
Downing Street also declined to comment on reports that Whitehall is preparing for another referendum amid speculation Nicola Sturgeon could call for one at her party conference next month.
Asked if Mrs May would veto the vote, a spokesman said that he would not comment on “hypotheticals”. Mrs May faces a dilemma if the SNP do call for another referendum.
Technically the legal right to hold one lies with Westminster.
David Cameron temporarily gave Holyrood the power to hold the 2014 vote. However, Mrs May will be under pressure to follow suit, or risk a spike in support for independence if she blocks another poll.
In recent weeks No 10 has highlighted opinion polls which suggest that most Scots do not want another vote any time soon.
Yesterday a No 10 spokesman said: “The question is not whether there could be a second referendum but whether there should be a second referendum and the answer to that is no.
“There was a vote in 2014 the people of Scotland made a decision then to remain in the Union and all the evidence around at the moment suggests that Scotland does not want another referendum.”