Sturgeon ‘set to put Indyref 2 on hold’ as SNP forced into humiliating U-turn
NICOLA Sturgeon is planning a humiliating climbdown on Indyref 2, which will see plans for a second referendum shelved until after Brexit, according to reports.
The First Minister will issue a statement this week, making clear she now plans to focus on a so-called ‘soft Brexit’, keeping the UK and Scotland inside the EU single market, instead.
It would mean her timetable for a second referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 has slipped.
It comes as business leaders urged her to end the ‘constitutional uncertainty’ and focus on boosting the economy.
According to the Sunday Mail, postponing the referendum received almost unanimous backing at a meeting of the SNP’s ruling National Executive Committee last Saturday, where nearly all members present spoke in favour of parking independence.
One reportedly said: ‘Everyone round that table supported independence, everyone also knew the prospect of an early referendum cost us support.’
That echoes Miss Sturgeon’s admission that the prospect of another referendum was a ‘factor’ in her party losing 21 seats in this month’s General Election, compared to 2015.
But it also means Theresa May was right when she said ‘now is not the time’ for another referendum – less than three years after more than two million Scots voted No.
Scots Tories who repeatedly warned the SNP that voters did not want another referendum, at least until after they know the terms of the Brexit deal, have been vindicated.
Miss Sturgeon will now focus on trying to rebuild her Government’s battered reputation on areas such as education, health and the economy, where growth has stalled and fallen behind the UK as a whole.
Yesterday, business leaders urged her to put independence to one side.
Hugh Aitken, director of CBI Scotland, said: ‘Now is the time to put the economy back at the top of the agenda. Businesses will be encouraged by the First Minister’s commitment to working across party lines and with the UK Government to get the best deal for businesses.
‘Ultimately, the Scottish Government’s focus must be on measures to enhance productivity and boost the economy, not constitutional matters.’
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘Uncertainty is a contributing factor to business uncertainty, and can impact on confidence and investment decisions.’
Questions will remain if Miss Sturgeon only puts off the independence question for two years.
However, Nationalist MSP and former Health Secretary Alex Neil said: ‘There is no
‘No shame in changing policy’
shame in saying I’ve listened to the people and am going to adjust policy accordingly.’
The Scottish Government insisted it was Brexit and not independence that was creating uncertainty.
A spokesman for Brexit Minister Michael Russell said: ‘Brexit is the biggest threat to jobs and Scotland’s economy and the UK Government must listen to the Scottish Government and the CBI to ensure devolved nations are properly represented at negotiations.’