Sturgeon told to ‘think again’ over referendum
NICOLA Sturgeon should be “sent homeward to think again” on her plan for a second referendum, according to a former Labour MSP heading up a pro-union campaign group.
Graeme Pearson, ex-Labour MSP and former head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, set out Scotland in Union’s campaign to prevent a referendum taking place.
Speaking at the Lighthouse in Glasgow to an audience of supporters, Mr Pearson said if enough people get organised and make themselves heard then the First Minister and her government will have to re-consider the plan.
Mr Pearson said: “If we speak with one voice then the Scottish Government will be forced to hear us.
“Once they accused us of Project Fear. I say this time it is Project Listen. They can ignore us no more.
“Together, we can send them homeward to think again.”
At an event where the SNP fundraising activities were highlighted, Scotland in Union was asking supporters to donate to raise cash for the campaign.
Mr Pearson, who did not seek re-election to Holyrood after serving one full term as MSP for South of Scotland, said the campaign was about two ideas: “No to another referendum and Yes to a united Scotland.”
He accused independence supporters of having a negative and false view of the union.
He said: “I don’t recognise our opponents’ description of the UK. They see it as a foreign land full of Tories, racists and people who look down on Scotland.”
He added: “I have been all over the UK and I see people like me and you, with the same hopes same ambitions for t heir families.”
He said the second referendum can be stopped.
Mr Pearson added: “I’m here today to say independence is not inevitable and neither is another referendum.”
He added: “And I believe through organisation and persuasion we can force Nicola Sturgeon to back off.”
The meeting came as Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said while she was opposed, the party must prepare for a second vote on independence.
She said she would vote against the plans next week, adding: “But the unfortunate truth is that the SNP and their Green colleagues have a majority in the Scottish Parliament, so we need to prepare for another independence referendum.”
The Scottish Parliament is expected to vote on seeking power to hold a referendum next Wednesday.