Angus Robertson warns next Tory leader not to block a second independence referendum

Image credit: Paul Heartfield

Angus Robertson has warned the next prime minister not to block another referendum on independence.

The SNP leader at Westminster also predicted that any new referendum would result a vote in favour of the leaving the UK.

David Cameron has previously said the Scottish government should stick to its promise that the last referendum would be a "once in a generation" event.

However, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson last week said Westminster should not withhold its permission for Holyrood to have another one if it wants to.

In an interview with The House, Holyrood's sister magazine at Westminster, Robertson said the candidates vying to succeed David Cameron in Downing Street should listen to Davidson.

He said: "There’s practically nobody serious in Scottish politics who believes that if there is a demand for a second Scottish referendum that it won’t happen.

“Even Ruth Davidson at the weekend was on TV confirming that if there was a desire to hold another referendum in Scotland that it would go ahead.

“We live in a democracy in both Scotland and the UK and I think any incoming Tory PM who stood in the way of Scottish democracy has no idea what damage they would be doing.”

Robertson also predicted that the Brexit vote two weeks ago meant Scots were now ready to vote for independence.

He said: "It has already changed public opinion in Scotland. Every single opinion poll since the Brexit referendum has shown a majority for Scottish independence.

“People who had previously not supported Yes and wished to remain in a UK that was in Europe and were promised that a No vote in 2014 was the best way to guarantee Scotland’s place in Europe are now learning to their bitter cost that that was not true.

“We’re seeing a range of people from different political parties and none who say that things have changed completely.

“The UK that people were voting to stay part of in 2014 does not exist in the same way as it did.”

Nicola Sturgeon has already held talks with Brussels chiefs to explore ways that Scotland could retain its EU membership despite the Brexit vote.

It has been reported that she wants to hold the next Scottish referendum before Britain formally quits the EU - which could be within the next two years.

Robertson said: "I hope Scotland is independent as soon as is practically possible. We’ve got a big job to do and England and Wales have effectively declared independence from the United Kingdom, and the challenges that we face in protecting our economy and our place in the European market is profoundly important.

“These things matter and the clock is ticking, which is why the Scottish Government and the SNP is seized of the challenge which has been placed on us.”