BORIS Johnson has been challenged to “cut the bluster” around a second independence referendum and tell voters if he believes another vote should never be allowed.
The call has been made by SNP’s Michael Russell ahead of the Prime Minister addressing the Scottish Tory conference today.
Johnson is expected to make clear in his speech that he will not agree to indyref2, even if the SNP wins a majority in May’s election, and will argue that holding a referendum during the Covid-19 pandemic would be “reckless”.
Russell said no-one is proposing holding the referendum now, but if people back one after the pandemic in the coming Holyrood election then “democracy must prevail”.
He said: “So today I’m challenging Boris Johnson to make his position crystal clear: does he accept that Scotland has the democratic right to choose independence in a post-pandemic referendum – or is his position that the people should never be allowed to choose their own future under any circumstances?
READ MORE: Jacob Rees-Mogg warns Tories of risk of 'stubbornly opposing' indyref2
“In true Trump-like fashion, Boris Johnson will address Tory party members today and signal that should they lose the Holyrood election in May – then he simply won’t recognise the result.
“But privately, the Prime Minister and his colleagues know that a Trump-like bid to deny democracy is untenable and unacceptable – which is why they are so busy in the background making plans on how to contest an independence referendum.”
The UK Government is increasingly focusing on how to counter the prospect of Scottish independence, with a major spending drive under way.
Opinion polls this year have consistently shown a majority for independence and despite a small drop in backing for Yes in recent weeks, support for leaving or staying in the UK is largely neck and neck.
It has been reported Johnson has considered moving from a point-blank refusal to hold a vote, with the messaging instead focused on avoiding a “reckless referendum” during the pandemic in order to create some “wriggle room” around the issue and buy time to try to build support for the Union.
The SNP meanwhile has launched a digital leaflet campaign this weekend, which is aiming to reach 2.5 million voters. It is emphasising the message “Both Votes SNP” is the only way to stop Westminster blocking Scotland’s right to decide its own future.
Party members are being asked to share online campaign material with 20 other people.
Russell said: “This election boils down to one important question: who do voters want to lead Scotland’s social and economic recovery from this pandemic?
“A Scottish Government, democratically elected in Scotland by the people who live and work here, or a Westminster government that we didn’t vote for led by the likes of Boris Johnson.
“If Scottish voters in May back the SNP’s plan to hold a post-pandemic referendum, then he has no right to block it.
“It’s time Boris Johnson cut the bluster and gave voters a straight answer. Will his Tory government at Westminster try to impose an indefinite veto on a post-pandemic referendum in Scotland?”
Meanwhile Ruth Davidson yesterday told her party’s conference it was accepted that “barring a complete implosion” the SNP would emerge from May’s election as the largest party.
READ MORE: Tories ‘preparing for a Scottish independence referendum’ despite rhetoric
But the Tory Holyrood leader – who is leaving the Scottish Parliament to take up a seat in the House of Lords – said a majority SNP government can be prevented.
She stressed this was “vital” because it was “the only way to be certain that Scotland isn’t dragged back into another independence referendum when we all need to be focusing on building a recovery from the pandemic”.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack will praise the UK’s coronavirus vaccine programme as a “truly astonishing achievement” when he addresses the Scottish Tory conference today.
He will say that Scotland is playing its part, as “millions of doses of Valneva’s vaccine are rolling off the production line at a high-tech plant in Livingston, ready for approval”.
But the MP will also accuse the SNP of having “told fairy stories while playing fast and loose with the rules, imperilling the very foundations of the devolution settlement”.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown said the momentum is “firmly behind” his party.
“The Tories can dress up their desperation anyway they like, but they won’t fool Scottish voters who can see for themselves Boris Johnson’s attempts to rip up Scotland’s democracy, ” he said.
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