Starmer's Block on Referendum Highlights the Only Path to Independence
The Prime Minister has today announced that he will never grant a second Scottish Independence referendum during his time in office. The comments by Keir Starmer put a gaping hole in the SNP's independence strategy less than a year before Scots go to the polls next May.
He also confirmed that John Swinney has failed to raise independence as his "first priority" in talks with him.
Asked about whether he would grant another referendum, Starmer said:
"Nobody's raising that with me as their first priority, certainly in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister."
"We're talking about jobs, energy, security and dealing with the cost of living crisis."
In response to the Prime Minister's comments, ALBA Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:
"All of the issues that Sir Keir Starmer outlines are the very things people care most about. However, they can only be resolved with independence.
"We are going to witness hundreds of jobs being lost on a weekly basis in the oil and gas industry. We have seen the closure of our only oil refinery at Grangemouth, and we have seen precious little in the way of renewable jobs coming our way.
"Energy prices are still sky-high, despite Scotland being a net exporter of energy.
"All of this is because we do not have the full powers of independence. That is why it is our first priority – and why it should be the first priority for the First Minister too.
"With Starmer rejecting another referendum, it is clear that independence can only be delivered via an election. The next electoral test is the Scottish Parliament election – we must use that election as a de facto referendum.
"If the pro-independence parties unite, we can make Holyrood 2026 Scotland’s independence election. No more cap in hand or ‘Please, Sir Keir, can we have a referendum?’
"A majority of votes cast on the list for pro-independence parties must be the mandate for independence. A vote for Alba on the list can help deliver that mandate and deliver a supermajority for independence.
“It’s time John Swinney got with the plan to transform our land – and not simply seek to mitigate the worst of UK Government policy.”
