Shelving second referendum lets SNP rebuild the case for Yes vote

● Blackford still committed to split ● Opponents say party can’t let go

Postponing plans for a second referendum has given the SNP the opportunity to discuss the “fundamentals” of independence, the party’s Westminster leader has said.

Ian Blackford said he was “gratified” that the focus was no longer on the timetable of such a vote.

After the general election, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that plans for a second referendum were being put on hold. She said it was still “likely” there could be another ballot before 2021, but announced plans to “reset” the timetable which could have seen a second vote take place between autumn next year and spring 2019.

Mr Blackford said rebuilding the case for independence needs to “promote fairness and equity” while pointing out “harmful” Conservative government policies.

He said: “I think that what has happened as a consequence of Nicola’s statement is that we’ve taken away the focus from the timetable now and I’m gratified that gives us the opportunity to actually talk about the fundamentals and to talk about what an independent Scotland would look like. And I welcome that over the coming years.

“I joined this party because I believe in independence and

0 Ian Blackford welcomed the end of the focus on the indyref2 timetable it’s up to us to win the trust of people in Scotland and we’ve clearly got a manifesto commitment from the 2016 election that says if there is a change in circumstances, there’s the question second referendum.

“I think it’s a key task for all of us to compare and contrast the powers that we have and also demonstrate how we could do somuchmore[withindependence] to promote fairness and equity.

“One of the things is to demonstrate how this Conservative government is pursuing policies that are harmful to Scotland.”

The Scottish Tories said the SNP have not listened to voters.

Shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said: “These latest comments from the SNP prove once and for all that they will always put independence first. Despite voters sending

of a them a clear message this year that they are fed-up with them obsessing over independence, the SNP just aren’t listening.”

Scottish Labour’s economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “It appears Ian Blackford didn’t get Nicola Sturgeon’s memo that indyref2 is on hold, and he certainly didn’t get the message from voters that Scotland is firmly opposed to a divisive second independence referendum.

“It just proves that the SNP is willing to continue neglecting our struggling health service, schools and economy.

“Scotland deserves better than this failing government.”