SNP should 'move on' from talk of a second referendum

David Cameron will today tell the SNP it is time to "move on" from talk of a second vote on Scottish independence.

Speaking a year after the referendum on Scottish independence, the Prime Minister will say: "Some may want to obsess about separation, but I am focussed on delivering devolution so that the debate can move on from what powers the Scottish Parliament should have, to how they are used to better the lives of the people of Scotland."

He will also promise an amendment to the Government's Scotland Bill to ensure the permanence of the Holyrood parliament.

"Let me be crystal clear: Scottish devolution is woven into the very fabric of our United Kingdom. We will table an amendment to the Scotland Bill so there is absolutely no doubt - Holyrood is here to stay," he will say.

His remarks appear to be a direct riposte to SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who said a matter of days ago that her party's manifesto for the next Holyrood elections would include a list of possible triggers for a second referendum.

"Our manifesto will set out what we consider around the circumstances in which, and the possible timescale in which a second referendum might be appropriate," she told the Sunday Herald.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed last week the circumstances and timescale for a prospective second vote will be set out in the SNP’s manifesto for the 2016 Scottish elections.

In a speech in Edinburgh today, Sturgeon will land a stark warning to Cameron, telling him he is on "borrowed time" as the support for a second vote "will depend as much on what you do as it will on what we do".

"If you continue to ignore Scotland's voice, if you continue to disrespect the choice that people across this country made in May, more and more people will conclude that Westminster simply can't deliver for Scotland," the SNP leader will say.