Libdems will refuse to make next election a referendum on independence

MEMBERS of the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said they will refuse to make the next General Election a de facto referendum on independence.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will push ahead with plans to turn the vote into a plebiscite after the Supreme Court ruled that Holyrood could not hold a vote on the constitution without the consent of Westminster.

Details of what exactly that means for the SNP are to be discussed at a special conference in the new year.

Earlier this week, a special conference of Libdem members “unanimously agreed that elections should allow people to vote on all of the issues that affect their lives and the communities around them, rather than narrow single issues”.

Party leader Alex Cole-hamilton said: “The ink wasn’t even dry on a damning Supreme Court judgment before Nicola Sturgeon decided to pivot to a selfish Plan C – hijacking an election for a de facto referendum. I find that unspeakably arrogant.

“No party or politician gets to dictate what an election is about. The people decide that. They give politicians their instructions.”

SNP MSP Emma Roddick said it was the Libdems who were “unspeakably arrogant.”

She added: “The refusal to accept that Scotland has a right to choose its own future is neither liberal nor democratic – it’s a disgrace and illustrates the utter contempt Westminster parties have for people across Scotland.”

The Highlands MSP said independence was “essential to build a better future for everyone in Scotland – and people must have the chance to choose that future.”