SNP depute leader candidate: put EU in indyref2 question
BY PAUL HUTCHEON
ACANDIDATE in the SNP depute leadership contest believes his party should consider including European Union membership in any referendum question on independence. Alyn Smith, a Nationalist MEP, said “all options” on the wording of any future ballot proposition should be discussed.
It has also emerged that SNP veteran Jim Sillars is backing a councillor for the post, as a way of taking power away from parliamentarians.
However, pro-independence supporters suffered a setback yesterday after an opinion poll showed majority backing for Scotland staying in the UK. A YouGov poll found that a Brexit decision has not triggered a boost in independence, with 53 per cent still opposed.
Four candidates are expected to contest the race to succeed Stewart Hosie as the party’s number two: SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, fellow MP Tommy Sheppard, Smith and Cllr Chris McEleny.
The internal election is expected to give the candidates a platform to discuss a second referendum, described as “highly likely” by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as a result of Brexit.
One of the issues being discussed by SNP members is the wording of the question in the event of a second plebiscite. In 2014, voters were asked: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” However, a minute of the Yes Edinburgh West group noted that former SNP candidate Toni Giugliano floated an alternative.
It stated: “He proposes that if IndyRef2 happens, the question should be ‘Should Scotland remain in the EU as an independent country?’”
Giugliano will speak at a debate at the SNP conference and is expected to suggest the new wording to delegates.
Smith, an SNP moderate, said of the plan: “It is certainly worthy of discussion and consideration. The options over the wording are open.”
However, Sheppard, who launches his campaign this week, is sceptical of the idea: “I think it might cloud the issue. I think it would be better to ask a question on independence.”
At his launch in Edinburgh last week, Robertson, who is considered to be the favourite to win, also stressed the importance of listening to No voters.
Speaking to the Sunday Herald, he refused to be drawn on the timescale of a second referendum and dodged the question on the wording on the ballot.
He said: “I’m not wanting to be unhelpful, but we need to go through a process one step at a time. The First Minister and her council of advisers are trying to understand all of the options.”
However, a parliamentarian said of Robertson’s depute leadership bid: “Angus’ bid is about shoring up his position in the SNP group. I think that is what is driving absolutely everything.”
Asked whether former SNP leader Alex Salmond is supporting him, Robertson said: “From day to day I’m receiving support from elected colleagues and grass-roots colleagues. I think you can see everybody who has declared publicly for me so far.”
Sillars, an SNP grandee who was once deputy leader himself, entered the fray with a surprise endorsement of McEleny.
He said: “There is a grave imbalance now in the SNP. My support of the councillor is saying ‘he represents the need to rebalance the power within the SNP between the party as such and the parliamentary groups’.”