Nicola Sturgeon's IndyRef2 dream dismantled with simple argument - 'Not the case'
NICOLA STURGEON was warned her plans for a second independence referendum in Scotland will not come to fruition because of a key difference in her demand for a new vote.
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Nicola Sturgeon has long been calling for a new referendum on Scottish independence by virtue of the SNP's continued electoral success over the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this year rejected an official request for a vote as he insisted Scotland remained better served as a member of the wider United Kingdom. Former Secretary for Scotland David Mundell told Times Radio a key difference from the first independence vote request would make it difficult for Ms Sturgeon to secure a new vote.
After presenter Matt Chorley suggested the UK Government would have to agree to a second referendum in the event of a SNP electoral victory in 2021, Mr Mundell said: "I don't agree with that.
"We had a referendum on the basis that was created between the UK Government and the Scottish Government.
"That was encapsulated in what is known as the Edinburgh Agreement which, at the time, Nicola Sturgeon signed along with Alex Salmond.
"They described it as the gold standard for having a referendum and that was predicated on the basis of a referendum taking place when there was an agreement between the UK and Scottish Government.
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"The position of the current UK Government is not to have a referendum in the course of this Parliament.
"In my view, whatever the results of next year's Scottish parliament election, that would not automatically lead to there being another referendum."
Mr Mundell also suggested recent polls showing an increase in support for independence was the result of the Scottish Conservatives abandoning their "effective" unionist campaign after the 2014 referendum.
The former frontbencher said pro-union activists would need to get back to work to ensure they match efforts from SNP campaigners who have been promoting their message for independence despite the results of the vote.
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He continued: "You can't deny there has been a series of polls putting independence ahead.
"They have been in this period of turmoil that we're going through in relation to coronavirus and its impact.
"I do have a degree of caution there because we are in really unusual circumstances. That doesn't mean I'm complacent about it.
"There is a clear trend and we, those who believe in Scotland's place is better served in the United Kingdom, have to make the case.
"What's happened it that, essentially, from day 1 after the referendum the SNP make the case every single day. We are not as good at making the case for Scotland in the United Kingdom."
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Mr Mundell added: "We perhaps thought, as we did before the referendum, that this would be once in a generation and the result would be respected and we would move on. That's not what happened.
"Essentially the Yes Campaign continued and we didn't continue at the same level of intensity or effectiveness to make the case for Scotland's place in the United Kingdom.
"Actually, recent events around COVID demonstrate the huge benefits Scotland gets from being in the United Kingdom."
Nicola Sturgeon saw her approval ratings soar during the pandemic, with opinion polls repeatedly finding her leading over Boris Johnson on who better led efforts against the coronavirus outbreak.