Fury at ‘IndyRef2’ on ballot papers

THE SNP has been accused of ‘putting party before pandemic’ over plans for an ‘IndyRef ’ slogan on ballot papers for the Holyrood election.

Nationalist bosses have submitted proposals to the Electoral Commission asking to register two party descriptions which include the abbreviation.

The SNP wants to use ‘Vote SNP for IndyRef ’ and ‘Both Votes SNP for IndyRef ’ alongside its name on the ballot papers. A third option has also been presented, ‘Nicola Sturgeon for SNP First Minister’.

The Electoral Commission has yet to decide whether to approve them.

It comes as ministers plan to publish a draft Referendum Bill within days. Passing it through Holyrood before the election on May 6 would let the new government enact it immediately if there is a pro-independence majority – but last night opposition parties hit out at the SNP’s slogan bid.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the wording was ‘all about’ a vote. He added: ‘The SNP are going full steam ahead on dividing Scotland. They don’t even mention rebuilding Scotland or recovering from Covid-19. It’s the height of recklessness. They’re putting party before pandemic.’ Neil Bibby, co-chairman of Scottish Labour’s election campaign, said after the last year’s events ‘it’s extraordinary the SNP wants to put division on the ballot paper’.

Days ago, a Panelbase poll in the Sunday Times showed only 5 per cent back a referendum in 0 1.