Sturgeon warned: Forget Indyref and fix the NHS
THE First Minister has been condemned for saying she will decide whether to back a -second independence referendum by the end of this year.
Nicola Sturgeon’s comments prompted critics to demand she concentrate on solving the ongoing crisis in NHS Scotland and improving the shocking state of the country’s education system instead.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show yesterday, the SNP leader claimed the best option for the Scottish economy was to stay in the EU and the least damaging is staying in the single market.
She said people wanted to see clarity over the relationship between the UK and Europe and that her decision would be made when this became clear in the autumn.
Ms Sturgeon added: “At that point, what I’ve said is that we will look at that and determine at that stage if Scotland should then have the right to choose between whatever that new relationship with the UK is going to be or choosing to be an independent country.”
But this led to a furious riposte from Scottish Conservative MP John Lamont.
With the turmoil of Brexit the last thing we need is the turmoil of independence too
He said: “Yet again, Nicola Sturgeon would rather focus on indyref2 than deal with the crises she has created in both health and education. Nicola Sturgeon has no interest in securing a successful Brexit deal. All she cares about is a second independence referendum.”
Mr Lamont added: “She has created a damaging distraction when her priority should be working with the UK Government to get the right deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK.
“She should take the threat of a second independence referendum off the table. Instead she has put it front and centre – which is the last thing Scots want or need.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie joined in the row, adding: “There will be a collective, depressed sigh across Scotland today that our First Minister is plotting on independence once again.
“After losing seats at the Westminster election, including to the Liberal Democrats, she gave the impression of listening and promised to ‘reset’ her independence plans.That reset didn’t last for long.
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“With the turmoil of Brexit the last thing we need is the turmoil of independence too. The SNP should take independence off the table.”
Ms Sturgeon’s comments come ahead of the publication of a Scottish Government assessment on the impact of Brexit.
The analysis, published today, sets out the impact on Scotland’s future economic growth of three options for the future UK relationship with Europe, if the country cannot remain in the EU.
The study – Scotland’s Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment – looks at continued membership of the single market, a preferential trade agreement or non-preferential access on World Trade Organisation provisions.
Ms Sturgeon said: “More than 18 months on from the Brexit vote, it beggars belief that the UK Government is not only still unable to say what kind of relationship it wants with the EU, but has also failed to produce any meaningful economic assessment of the different possibilities. “Bluntly, the hard Brexiteers have had their chance and failed.”
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “We are seeking a deal that works for the whole of the UK, that delivers on the result of the EU referendum.
“Rather than trying to undermine the result of a democratic referendum, we urge the Scottish Government to work with us to ensure, as we leave the EU, we protect the UK’s vital internal market.
“Scotland trades four times as much with the rest of the UK as it does with the EU, so it is vital that we ensure that market continues unimpeded.”