SNP urged to stop pushing independence after Freeman plea
The S NP government has been urged to “stop pushing independence” after J ea ne Freeman issued a call for unit y among Nationalists campaigning for a rep eat of the 2014 referendum.
Tor y leader Douglas Ross claimed the health secretary should be “ashamed” of the move as Covid cases are rising through Scotland.
It comes after Nicola Sturgeon this week pledged to publish a bill setting out the “terms and timing” of a fresh referendum on independence ahead of next year’s Holyrood election.
Mr Ross said: “Only in the insular world of the SNP is this the time for a Referendum Bill and a new indyref2 strategy.”
“We all should focus on what’s most important, and that’ s saving lives and liveli hoods by sup pressing the virus and helping people back to work.
“It’s utterly thoughtless of the health secretary to be pushing her separation strategy when families are still waiting for answers about how their loved ones died in care homes. She should be ashamed of where her priorities lie. Jeane Free - man and the SNP cannot risk becoming distracted. Their full focus today should be on stopping Covid cases in Glasgow rising further.
“The First Minister and her cabinet need to stop pushing independence and get back to rebuilding Scotland stronger on the other side of this crisis.”
It came after Ms Freeman warned in the National newspaper today that persuading wavering Scots to back independence could be jeopardised by infighting among the nationalist movement.
“We won’t convince them if we look like it’s a bunch of egos fighting,” she said.
Nationalist groups have already set out plans to run on an “alternative” independence ticket to the SNP in next year’s Holyrood vote.
Ms Sturgeon indicated this week that she plans to make the prospect of a second independence referendum the key issue in next year’s Holyrood election. Control over the constitution is reserved to Westminster under the devolution agreement and Boris Johnson has ruled out a repeat of the 2014 vote.
Recent polls shows a majority of Scots now favour independence.