THE deputy leader of the SNP in Westminster has said Scotland does not need the Tories’ permission to hold indyref2.
Kirsten Oswald said her party had a mandate to hold another referendum and suggested there was a “real appetite” for independence on the back of the SNP coming out as the biggest party in Scotland in the local elections.
Speaking on the Sunday Show, Oswald denied that Scotland was “stuck” on the constitutional question.
She said: “I don’t think we’re stuck at all. It does certainly send a clear signal that people have a real appetite to look to the future and to that better future that independence will bring and I look forward to more conversation about that very shortly.
“But it’s a mistake for anybody to suggest that we’re stuck. People in Scotland are entitled to their democratically held views.”
Oswald hit back at the challenge the Conservatives in England would not grant a second referendum.
“It’s not for the Conservatives to say we’re not having a referendum,” she said.
“I think we are absolutely on the move towards a referendum and the First Minister has been very clear on our position in terms of timing and what we’d like to see and we have a mandate for that as well, don’t forget.
“I really do look forward to things cranking up, in terms of that conversation. It’s not democratically possible for the Conservatives to keep suggesting that this won’t happen. It’s not up to them, it’s up to the people in Scotland.”
But some in the independence movement were unhappy with her answer, claiming she had dodged the question of whether a referendum would be held according to Nicola Sturgeon’s timetable which commits Scotland to a second vote by 2024.
Neal Hanvey, Alba MP, said: “In the run-up to the local elections the SNP were firm that there would be a referendum next year as they have promised. Now two days later there is an entire lexicon of excuses and evasions.”
It comes after a fresh poll found 55% of Scots backed a second vote and that support for independence stood at 49% if undecideds were excluded.
