The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
SNP: ‘Real appetite for independence’
The SNP says the party’s success in council elections shows a “real appetite” for independence, despite a new poll finding most Scots do not want IndyRef2 in 2023.
Across Scotland the SNP have been celebrating after winning 453 council seats across the country – 22 more than the previous council election in 2017.
Labour came second with 282 seats, while the Conservatives lost 63 seats, holding a total of 214 seats.
Kirsten Oswald MP, the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader, says this shows support for holding a second independence referendum next year.
However, two separate polls have found the majority of Scots do not want to see a referendum by the end of 2023.
Speaking on The Sunday Show, Ms Oswald said: “This is a clear signal people have a real appetite to look to the future and the better future independence will bring.
“The first minister has been very clear on our position – we have a mandate for it.
“It is not possible for the Conservatives to say it won’t happen because it is not up to them. It is up to the people of Scotland.”
Ms Oswald’s comments come as a Survation poll for the anti-independence group Scotland In Union found just 29% of people want a second independence referendum by the end of 2023, with 60% opposed to the idea.
In a separate poll by Panelbase for the Sunday Times, just 24% want another vote in the next 12 months while 31% agreed it should happen within the next five years.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland In Union, said: “Voters want the government to prioritise what really matters to them, not the SNP’s obsession with constitutional division.”
The Conservatives had a “disappointing” council election, which many have blamed on Boris Johnson’s Partygate fines.
Despite this, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is defiant in his support for the PM, despite acknowledging he is to blame for the party’s poor performance.
Mr Ross said: “The public decided to send a protest vote against the prime minister in this election by staying at home rather than switching to another party.
“What has not changed is the situation in Ukraine.
“Opinion polls say people are unhappy with the prime minister and Partygate but I don’t think now... we should be changing our UK leader.”