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General Election 2015: Gordon Brown warns of 'chilling SNP plan for second independence referendum'

Former PM says party only wants more Westminster representation to force the vote

Caroline Mortimer
Saturday 25 April 2015 21:02 BST
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Gordon Brown: 'Remember what the SNP used to say - the referendum was once in a generation'
Gordon Brown: 'Remember what the SNP used to say - the referendum was once in a generation' (Getty)

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The former Prime Minister, Scottish MP Gordon Brown, has warned that the SNP will have a “chilling plan” for a second independence referendum.

Campaigning in Renfrewshire, Brown said the SNP only want more representation in Westminster so they can force a second referendum.

He said their mission was not to “deliver social justice” but “deliver chaos and constant crisis.”

In footage captured by the Press Association, he quoted the SNP’s candidate, Mhairi Black, for the constituency and said: “There is an SNP candidate in this constituency. She says vote SNP, get SNP MPs at Westminster and we will twist their arms and get another referendum.”

“Remember what the SNP used to say - the referendum was once in a generation, then it changed a little to once in a lifetime, then it was once every 15 years and now when you ask Ms Sturgeon about this her answers are all evasion. She cannot give a straight answer to the question.”


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During his speech, Brown insisted that being patriotic did not necessarily mean being nationalistic and Labour were the only party that could satisfy “proud, patriotic Scots desperate for change.”

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon launched the SNP’s “women’s pledge” and said this election was “not about independence”.

She joined actor and campaigner, Elaine C Smith in Glasgow to launch the pledge which commits the party delivering policies that promote equality.

Sturgeon said: “SNP MPs at Westminster will stand up for gender equality at every turn. We will work for an end to austerity, for equal pay, more and better jobs and to end the barriers that still block the aspirations of too many women in Scotland and across the UK.”

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