Scottish Lib Dems voted to oppose independence

Willie Rennie - credit: Holyrood

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have voted against supporting Scottish independence, after a debate at the party’s autumn conference.

Members voted with the leadership to reject a motion which stated the party may need to choose between links with Europe and remaining in the UK after Brexit.

The party had faced criticism in the run-up to conference from Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who had accused the Lib Dems of backtracking on their support for the union.

But members voted with Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, who used his speech to warn against “despair” post Brexit, instead telling members to take inspiration from Robert the Bruce and “try, try, try again”.

Speaking after the vote, Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “Today we rejected any suggestion we should consider independence. Our party reiterated our desire for Scotland to maintain its membership of both the United Kingdom and the European Union.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats fought the elections in May with an explicit commitment to opposing a second referendum on independence, under any circumstances. I will be keeping my word with the voters as will every other MSP who stood on that platform. In all circumstances, I said no and I mean no. Meanwhile, we will continue to make the case for a progressive, optimistic, outward looking approach.

“If Nicola Sturgeon is truly serious about working to protect the interests of Scotland she must join our fight for a second vote on the outcome of talks on Brexit. Voting for a departure is different than voting for a destination.  I would welcome her to that fight to keep the UK open and progressive.

“It is time the First Minister took independence off the table and stopped compounding the uncertainty caused by the Tories’ Brexit gamble with threats of another divisive referendum.”