YES would win if indyref2 was held tomorrow, a former Tory MSP has admitted.
Adam Tomkins, who represented Glasgow between 2016 and 2021, said the Unionist case would “fall on deaf ears” in the event of another vote.
Writing in The Herald, Tomkins (below) – a professor of public law at Glasgow University – said young people would tip the scales in a future vote and would see Scots “condemning the perceived failures of the United Kingdom”.
He added: “By a narrow majority, the voters of Scotland would be punishing Britain for Brexit, for Covid mismanagement, for failing to reform and adapt itself, for callous disregard and corruption in government, and for the man who (to them) embodies all of these failures – Prime Minister Boris Johnson.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon tells US media Scottish Government intends to hold indyref2 in 2023
The former Tory MSP claimed there would be “heavy prices to pay for national independence” but said young Scots would be prepared to pay “if that is what it takes, to get us out of here”.
But he added he thought it unlikely another referendum would be held soon and claimed it was impossible for it to be held before the SNP’s self-imposed deadline of 2024.
His comments show he is "more alive to the mood of the people of Scotland than the Tory colleagues he left behind in the Scottish Parliament" according to the SNP.
Falkirk East MSP Michelle Thomson said: "People across Scotland have overwhelmingly voted for an independence referendum and it is undeniable that as they continue to be forced to live with the cuts, corruption and cruelty of Westminster control, they know that a better future is possible as an independent country - and will vote for it when they have the chance.
"As has been long suspected, a fear of the result of an independence referendum is the most likely reason why the Tory party continue to stand in the way of one taking place in a Trump-like denial of democracy."
He wrote: “The 2014 referendum relied on Westminster giving its consent. It was this consent which underpinned the legality of the 2014 referendum and, this time around, it is perfectly plain that such consent is going to be withheld.
“Everybody knows this. The First Minister knows it. Her government know it. Holyrood knows it. You know it.
“And yet the pretence goes on that there is somehow, nonetheless, going to be a second independence referendum on the First Minister’s preferred timetable of a date to be confirmed in 2023.”
READ MORE: Tory MSP jets off to Seville for Rangers final while parliament is sitting
And Tomkins claimed that independence – while likely to win a second referendum – would be a “disaster” for Scotland.
“The Scottish economy is so far from being ready for independence that it would crash and burn spectacularly,” he wrote.
“This, for me, is the greatest puzzle of the SNP. In their many years of government they have done nothing – nothing at all – to prepare the economy for independence.”
In an interview with US media yesterday while on a visit to the States, the First Minister insisted a second referendum would be held by the end of 2023.
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