Dumbarton’s MSP has slammed a pledge to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence next year.
Labour’s Jackie Baillie says the Scottish Government should be focusing on helping Scots through the cost-of-living crisis rather than holding a second divisive referendum.
MSP Angus Robertson last week said it was his government’s intention to ask the people of Scotland the big constitutional question in 15 months’ time.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “The First Minister made clear that she intends to make an announcement to the Scottish Parliament in the forthcoming weeks about a route map towards a referendum, which we intend to hold next October.”
It came as Nicola Sturgeon claimed earlier in the week that the UK was holding Scotland back as she published the first in a series of papers aimed at finally convincing the nation to end the union.
Ms Baillie said: “While families are struggling to put food on the table and are forced to choose between heating and eating, it is incredibly disappointing and frustrating that a divisive referendum is at the forefront of the Scottish Government’s focus.
“There is so much work to be done in Scotland to address the problems which have been allowed to grow under the SNP’s watch in the last 15 years.
“Child poverty has risen, rail services have been cut and one in eight Scots are stuck on a waiting list for healthcare. It is not good enough and Scotland deserves far better.
“The current Conservative UK Government is not fit for purpose but we have a choice – to elect a Labour government at the next General Election to deliver on our priorities here in Scotland and across the country.
“The SNP spend much of their time arguing that things could be better in Scotland if they had full control of the purse strings.
“In West Dunbartonshire, instead of complaining, my Scottish Labour colleagues are finding ways to properly support citizens who are struggling.
“This is despite chronic underfunding of councils under the SNP and a £14 million budget blackhole left by the former SNP administration.
“Nicola Sturgeon and her party cannot and should not play politics while people’s lives and livelihoods are in the balance.”
