15 Mar 2017
The Scottish Conservatives have said the justification for a second referendum on independence has “collapsed” following SNP admissions it has dumped plans for immediate EU membership.
In reports today, SNP sources confirmed that an independent Scotland would no longer seek to apply to become a member of EU after a vote for separation.
This is despite the fact that Nicola Sturgeon has used the decision to leave the European Union as a reason for holding another divisive referendum on independence – and has consistently said her plan is to apply for EU membership.
It comes as new polls today reveal that support for independence has fallen.
The same poll shows that only 35 per cent of people want the SNP to spend the next two years diverting attention away from the day job and on another referendum campaign.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“Nicola Sturgeon’s grounds for a referendum have simply given way beneath her.
“We are told an immediate referendum campaign is necessary because we are leaving the European Union.
“Yet the SNP is u-turning on immediate EU membership and saying Scotland wouldn’t seek to become a member.
“If European Union membership is the reason for a referendum, what is the point of holding one if the plan isn’t go back in?
“Nicola Sturgeon’s reckless referendum plan has collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions.
“As even the SNP acknowledges, the UK union is by far Scotland’s most important market place and partner.
“Independence would wreck that union. It is time for the SNP to stop the games, and get back to the day job it has ignored for the last 10 years.”
It was reported today that the SNP no longer wants to immediately reapply for EU membership in the event of independence:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/15/nicola-sturgeon-abandons-bid-remain-eu-poll-shows-record-level/
Follow this news feed: Scottish Conservatives