Cameron vows to block second vote on independence
DAVID Cameron has dashed Nationalist dreams of a second referendum, insisting there will not be another vote while he is in Number 10.
Speaking on a trade visit to Jakarta, he also warned any attempt to hold an illegal poll would not be recognised by Westminster.
The Prime Minister’s comments will infuriate Nationalists, who are agitating f or another bid to break up Britain while the SNP dominates the polls.
On her own trade visit to China yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said it will be her decision. Until now, the First Minister has claimed it will be up to the Scottish people.
But with her colleagues straining at the leash, she admitted it will come down to whether or not it is included in the SNP’s manifesto.
Mr Cameron, who has said he will stand down after the next UK election, ruled out a second referendum within the next five years.
Asked if the SNP could hold a referendum without UK consent, he said: ‘I think it’s important that a referendum is legal and fair and properly constituted – and that’s what we had and it was decisive, so I don’t see the need for another one. I took a very clear approach that these things must be legitimate and that’s my view.’
When pushed on whether he would rule out another referendum in this Parliament, he said: ‘Yes.’
On Sunday, former First Minister Alex Salmond claimed a second referendum was ‘inevitable’ and that Tory austerity, an EU exit against the wishes of Scots and grievances over devolution could all provide the trigger.
Polls show Scots do not want another referendum, but support for the SNP remains high and the party looks set to add to its 64 MSPs and increase its majority. That would give Miss Sturgeon the power to force another Referendum Bill through Holyrood.
Yesterday, she said: ‘It will be my ultimate decision, in line with the democratic decision- making processes of the SNP, to determine whether or not there is a commitment to a second referendum in t he SNP manifesto f or t he Scottish election.
‘And in due course we will take that decision and take that decision based on what we consider to be in the best interests of the country. But whether it’s the next Scottish election or a subsequent Scottish election, it’s the decision of the SNP whether or not to include it in a manifesto, but it is the decision of the Scottish people whether to vote for that manifesto.’
During the referendum campaign, Miss Sturgeon claimed it was a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity. Her opponents fear she is now ready to break that promise.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: ‘People will rightly be worried that Nicola Sturgeon isn’t keeping the promise she made to Scots before the referendum. We’ve gone from the people will decide to the SNP will decide, to Nicola Sturgeon will decide.
‘There are so many big issues in Scotland that need urgent attention – from the mess in our police service to the GP crisis. The full focus of everybody in Scottish politics should be on sorting out the problems in our public services. We can’t put the country on pause for another two years again.’
Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott said: ‘It is no surprise that the SNP want independence, but these comments from the First Minister are the final nail in the coffin of arguments that they stand for anything apart from breaking up the UK.’
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘This just shows contempt for the clearly expressed view of the Scottish people. The SNP need to stop obsessing about independence and start addressing the real problems in Scotland.’
Within the SNP, opinions are split on whether the party should push for another referendum.
Former leader Gordon Wilson warned: ‘Support for independence is falling; indeed, has sunk to 43 per cent. It would be a strategic error to commit to a referendum until you know you are going to win.’
But Transport Minister Derek Mackay said on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland: ‘We will certainly talk about independence because we still believe in it, and of course we think that is the right way to go and that is the direction of travel, more powers and ultimately independence for Scotland.’
‘I don’t see the need for another’