GEORGE Kerevan has warned the SNP leadership their currency plan could “unravel” during the next indyref campaign.
The former MP, one of the leaders of an unsuccessful grassroots rebellion on the subject at the party conference, says the Yes campaign risks “drowning in ambiguity”.
During the debate on Saturday, he called for the scrapping of the SNP’s key condition for introducing a new currency in an independent Scotland – that six economic tests set out by the Growth Commission be passed.
Delegates backed the leadership, comprehensively defeating all but one of the amendments, with members voting 781 votes to 729 to mandate the SNP government of an independent Scotland to replace the pound “as soon as practicable”.
READ MORE: George Kerevan: SNP currency policy risks unravelling in the midst of the independence campaign
Following the vote, the First Minister, who did not speak during the debate but sat on the conference stage throughout the session, welcomed the result, and did not appear concerned about the passing of the amendment.
She tweeted: “Great debate at #SNP19 on economy and currency. Amendment urges progress as quickly as practicable, and six tests to ensure solid foundation for decision are endorsed.
“We can move forward now with confidence to make the case for Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”
Writing in The National today, Kerevan says there had been a lack of real debate, and says “no supporter of the leadership motion actually responded to any of the technical points raised against sterlingisation; or attempted to justify economically the six tests.”
“This lack of dialogue will come back to haunt the party,” he warns. “My central concern over sterlingisation remains that – far from being a pragmatic policy bridge to the unconverted – it will unravel smack in the midst of any referendum debate.
“Sterlingisation means you don’t have a lender of last resort to bail out your banks if there is a financial crisis (think Greece).
“That will be the daily headline during indyref2. If we are now committed – as we are – to a new currency, let’s be bold and implement it, or drown in ambiguity.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here