Green backsliding could tip balance towards indyref 2
A MAJORITY of MSPs are prepared to back new legislation calling for a second independence referendum.
The Scottish Greens will support any move for a rerun of the 2014 poll following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union – backtracking on a previous commitment to reject a second referendum unless one million people signed a formal petition.
With the SNP two seats short of a majority at Holyrood, the votes of the six Green MSPs will be crucial if Nicola Sturgeon decides to bring forward legislation to hold a second referendum.
A Scottish Greens spokesman said: ‘Our position is still that we should explore as many options as possible to keep Scotland in the EU but, if independence is the only way, then so be it.’
Asked if he accepted that the Greens had gone back on a commitment to ask the public before supporting another referendum, he said: ‘You get the feeling that people who voted No in 2014 are now willing to think again about independence. It is now the job of us, the SNP and others to encourage support for independence.’
The party’s manifesto for the Scottish election in May said: ‘On presenting a petition signed by an appropriate number of voters, citizens should be able to trigger a vote on important issues of devolved responsibility.’
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘No one really believed the Greens when they said they wanted this petition and rightly so because barely months have passed since their manifesto, and already this key commitment has been abandoned. Perhaps now they could explain to voters why they’ve gone back on their own word.’
Meanwhile, thousands of of proindependence campaigners gathered in Glasgow yesterday.
Bedecked in saltires and led by a bagpiper, marchers left the Botanic Gardens in the West End and finished in the city centre. Police Scotland said an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people were at the final rally in George Square.