Woe betide Tory leadership hopefuls if they fly in face of the will of the people of Scotland over indyref rerun
– SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford
The SNP’S Westminsterr leader has warned the Tory leaddership contenders not to“fly in the face” of the will of the people of Scotland over a second independence referendum.
The comments from MP Ian Blackfordb came after the scottish leadership hustings where Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnsonj warned they would not grant a second referendum on independencee – even if the SNP wins a majority at tthe 2021 Holyrood elections.
Mr Blackford said the party’s aim was to build consensus through “reespectful debate” with the people of Scotlaand over holding Indyref2. He added: “I wouldw say to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunth that woe betide themm to fly in the face of the exxpression of that will of thee people of Scotland.
“If the people of Scotland want to have a say in their future, then no Westmminster politician is goinng to stop that.”
First Minister Ni cola Sturgeon has ruled out holding a wildcat referendum without a seection 30 agreement, which gave the go- aheada for the referendum of 2014.
The Conservative leadership hustingsh on Friday night in Perth was thet only hustings taking place north of thhe border as the candidates continue to bbattle for the keys to Downing Street. The result is expected to be announced on Jully 23,
A new Yougov poll of Conservative Party members yesterday suggeested Mr Johnson is on course for a resounndingvicm. tory, with 74 per cent backing him
Around 150 independence supporters demonstrated outsidde Perth Concert Hall ahead of the event,, holding banners with signs such as ‘Endd London Rule’ and ‘England get out of Scootland’.
Inside the hall, Mike Melloor, from Dun keld,w as one of those watching as loud cheers greeted Mr Johnson’ss arrival.
He said he backed Mr Johnnson for Prime Minister as he believed hhe would deliver Brexit.
He said: “I have never heard him live and I want to see if he is the big ccharacter that he portrays. So far, from what I have seen, he is.
“He didn’t do anything othher than arrive – but he immediately hadd apresaybe ence and a personality. That ma not enough, of course, but it puts hiim at the front of the pack if you want to deliver.”
Mr Johnson’s initial pitch was metm with enthusiasm from party memberss.
He was met with loud cheers ww hen he talked of “putting the run into Runrig” by hoping to defeat Perth an d North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart, a former member of the band.
On the subject of Brexit, he said he was confident a “great deal” wwould be secured.
He was met with loud cheering when he added: “I prophesise confidently there will be clean drinking water in Perth, the planes will fly and there will be ample supplies of glucose and milk solids and whey to make Mars Bars, deep fried or otherwise.
“Where there is a will there is a way.” But there were terse and uncomfortable exchanges over his policies and private life as he was quizzed by chair, STV News Political Editor Colin Mackay and party members in the audience.
When he was grilled on the issue of how his income tax plans could lead to higher earning Scots paying more National Insurance, he said there would be an “overall package” which would “help everybody”.
A female party member, who gave her name as Flora, asked if a good Prime Minister also had to be a “loyal husband and father.”
Mr Johnson, whose personal life has come under scrutiny, said: “I have been asked all sorts of questions in the last 20- 30 years and I just don’t comment on that stuff if that’s alright”
On the issue of a second referendum, he did not explicitly say he would not grant a section 30 order to give permission for the poll.
But he added: “I would see absolutely no case for having a second referendum in Scotland.”
His rival Mr Hunt, who is being backed by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, vowed to reject any request for a new vote on the issue, prompting cheers and applause.
He said: “I am listening to the people of Scotland. There are many people who voted for independence who do not want the divisiveness of another referendum.
Both candidates say they want to secure a deal for leaving the EU – but have also not ruled out a no-deal Brexit if necessary by the deadline of October 31.
M r Hu n t said the safest and quickest way to deliver Brexit was to choose “someone with a chance of negotiating a deal – and that’s me.”
He said after years of austerity there was now room in the national finances to allow spending on areas such as defence, education, NHS and social care.
But he added: “If there was a no- deal rexit, I am clear those priorities would ave to wait, because our first riority must be to help busiesses affected by a sudden
ntroduction in tariffs.”