SUSPENDING work on an independence referendum because of the invasion of Ukraine would be like handing Putin “an effective veto over democracy in Scotland”, an SNP MSP said.
It comes as a poll by Savanta ComRes found that 59% of respondents felt talks on the timing of a second referendum should stop during the war, compared to 29% who believed they should continue.
Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to hold indyref2 in 2023, Covid-permitting. Holding a referendum in the first part of this parliamentary term was a key part of the SNP manifesto last year.
READ MORE: 'Racist' Tory candidate must not be on Glasgow ballot paper, say SNP
Asked recently if Russia’s actions had changed her plans, Sturgeon told LBC: “My plans and my thinking hasn't changed.
“We, right now, should be reminded, above all else, how lucky we are to live in a free democracy where we can put forward our case for political constitutional change, argue that case passionately, whatever our views on that might be, and trust people to decide.”
The First Minister also said that Scottish independence would allow the country to play a bigger role in the humanitarian response.
“I support independence for a whole variety of reasons, but one of the motivations for my support for independence is to see Scotland play a bigger role, albeit as a small country, in building a more peaceful world, to be a progressive, constructive international partner, to be a progressive country that welcomes refugees,” she told listeners.
In the latest poll, carried out between March 10 and 16, support for a No vote is at 52% and support for Yes is at 48% – when the “don’t knows” are removed.
The voting intention figures represent a slight increase for No compared to the polling company’s previous research in January.
Among SNP voters, 43% said discussions on when a second independence referendum should take place should stop while 47% said they should continue.
But SNP MSP Rona Mackay (above, left) argued that the situation in Europe is not incompatible with continuing democracy here in Scotland.
“Suggesting that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine means the democratic process in the UK should be suspended would be grist to the Kremlin’s mill – Vladimir Putin should not be handed an effective veto over democracy in Scotland or anywhere else. You don’t defend democracy by suspending it.
“People have already decided there should be an independence referendum – this debate was had in last year’s Holyrood elections and the people elected a majority of MSPs with a mandate for an independence referendum in the parliamentary term – greater than that in 2011.”
The poll also found that on the timing of a second vote, 34% of Scots agree with the First Minister that it should be held within the next two years, while 15% feel it should take place within five years.
Speaking at the party’s conference in Aberdeen, he argued that because the SNP didn’t win a majority in 2021 – though a pro-independence majority of MSPs was elected – they didn’t secure a mandate to hold a vote on Scotland’s future.
“The SNP would need to get a majority in the Scottish Parliament as far as I am concerned,” he went on.
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel