SNP accused of planning second referendum

Westminster questions lodged by the SNP show the party is “plotting” a second referendum, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

The two written questions, tabled by SNP Scottish Office spokeswoman Margret Ferrier, query the UK Government’s response should the SNP win a further majority in Holyrood next year.

Ferrier’s question reads: “To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what contingency plans his Department has prepared for the possibility of a further referendum on Scottish independence being the policy of the Scottish Government after the Scottish Parliament election in 2016.”

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The Tories claimed that the question - along with comments from SNP MP George Kerevan stating, "the mood on Scotland has hardened in favour of independence" - show the SNP is preparing a second bid for independence.

Writing in The National, Kerevan said: “Expect the SNP conference [in October] to fizz with the question of putting a mandate for independence into the 2016 manifesto.”

Reacting, Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “The SNP is going to have to accept that, less than a year ago, the Scottish people spoke decisively on this matter.

“Of course many ardent Yes supporters want another referendum – they’d hold one every day until they got the outcome they wanted.

“But people invested a lot of time and energy in last year’s vote, and they don’t want to be put through another two-year campaign on this matter.”