THE SNP have backed calls for a General Election after Boris Johnson’s government was plunged into fresh chaos following two shock resignations from his top team.
Rishi Sunak quit as Chancellor and Sajid Javid stepped down as Health Secretary within minutes of one another on Tuesday night, sparking panic in No 10 the Prime Minister was facing a coup from within the Conservative Party.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for a General Election in response to the developments in Westminster.
Alyn Smith, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, responded to accusations in the Daily Record he was not supportive of a general election, saying: “The SNP is always ready to fight a general election - and we would welcome one.
Ah come come, the SNP is always ready to fight a general election - and we would welcome one. We will fight it on the issue of independence, so Scotland can escape the damage of Westminster control for good. https://t.co/gbc4iZmB2g
— Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺 (@AlynSmith) July 5, 2022
“We will fight it on the issue of independence, so Scotland can escape the damage of Westminster control for good.”
But he emphasised the SNP’s first priority was an independence referendum.
The First Minister, who shared Smith's post, has said the next General Election will be fought by the SNP as a "de facto referendum" on independence, should its court battle to force a second poll prove unsuccessful.
But speaking on Sky News on Wednesday morning SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the party would "think long and hard about tactics" in the event of a snap General Election before the Supreme Court ruled on the referendum bill.
Talking to Sky News on Tuesday night, Smith said: “Our priority is an independence referendum, we’ve set out our timetable on how to achieve that.”
His tweet was retweeted by Nicola Sturgeon, who welcomed the chaos engulfing the Conservative Party on Tuesday night.
She tweeted: “Feels like end might be nigh for Johnson - not a moment too soon.
“Notable tho that the resigning ministers were only prepared to go when they were lied to they defended him lying to public. The whole rotten lot need to go. And [Scotland] needs the permanent alternative of independence.”
Feels like end might be nigh for Johnson - not a moment too soon. Notable tho that the resigning ministers were only prepared to go when they were lied to - they defended him lying to public. The whole rotten lot need to go. And 🏴 needs the permanent alternative of independence
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 5, 2022
Toni Guigliano, the SNP's policy convenor has told The National "any snap poll should be the de facto referendum".
The First Minister has said the SNP will treat the next General Election as a "de facto referendum" on independence should her joint bids either to be given permission by the Supreme Court to hold a referendum or secure a Section 30 order be rejected.
Guigliano added: "We need to be ready to fight the election at any point. On independence. And we should be saying that clearly."
Nadim Zahawi has moved from education to take on the role of Chancellor and Johnson’s chief of staff Steve Barclay has become Health Secretary.
Other junior members of the Government payroll have resigned, including the staunch Johnson loyalist Jonathan Gullis.
Both Javid and Sunak took aim at Johnson’s government in their resignation letters, with the former Chancellor suggested Johnson’s administration was not being run “properly, competently and seriously”.
It follows the ever-changing story around the scandal surrounding Christopher Pincher over the past week, where it gradually emerged Downing Street had apparently ignored serious concerns about his conduct before promoting him.
Key members of the top team however have stayed on, including Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.
Johnson faces Prime Minister’s Questions at noon and a grilling from the liaison committee at 3pm on Wednesday.
His appearance before the Commons is likely to see him break his silence on yesterday’s events.
