General Election 2015: Scottish independence referendum will be the 'first line' of next year's SNP manifesto, says former deputy leader
Former SNP MP Jim Sillars says party is 'bound' to include the pledge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The promise of another referendum on Scottish independence will in the “first line” of the SNP’s manifesto next year, the party’s former deputy leader has said.
Jim Sillars said the party would be “bound” to include the commitment in its Holyrood manifesto, in recognition of the thousands of people who joined the party in the wake of the referendum. Its membership now stands at more than 105,000.
The former SNP MP, who last year played a prominent role in the Yes campaign in favour of independence, added that there should be no “timetable” attached to the promise to allow the party to hold a referendum “when it suits us”.
“I can’t see a membership of 100,000 which came in on the independence issue not demanding that in the manifesto,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “It would be astonishing if you joined the SNP because you desire independence as soon as you can possibly get it and not expect it to be in the manifesto.”
Nicola Sturgeon, who has repeatedly said during the general election campaign that she has “no plans” to call another referendum on Scottish independence, played down Mr Sillars’ comments at First Minister’s Questions.
“I’ve got the greatest of respect for Jim Sillars but the clue is in his title: former deputy leader of the SNP,” she said. “I’m the current leader of the SNP so let me say it clearly once again: this election is not about independence. It’s not about a referendum. It’s about making Scotland’s voice heard.”
Are you undecided about who to vote for on 7 May? Are you confused about what the parties stand for and what they are offering? Take this interactive quiz to help you decide who to vote for...
Replying to a series of questions on the issue from Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Kezia Dugdale, Ms Sturgeon described her political opponents’ warnings about the dangers of another referendum as “desperate scaremongering” by a party in its “death throes”.
The SNP leader added that a manifesto pledge for another independence referendum did not guarantee that one would happen. “If the SNP ever does propose in a manifesto a second referendum that, in and of itself, does not bring about a referendum,” she said.
“People in Scotland first have to vote for that manifesto and give the SNP sufficient numbers in this parliament to get the legislation through. That’s democracy.”
Polls suggest that Labour is heading for a wipeout in Scotland on 7 May at the hands of the SNP, which could win as many as 50 of its 59 Westminster seats. Ms Sturgeon has embarked on a helicopter tour, aiming to visit the “four corners” of the country.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments