The SNP has challenged Boris Johnson to say whether he accepts Scotland has the democratic right to choose independence in a post-pandemic referendum – or if his position is that the people should never be allowed to choose their own future under any circumstances.
On Saturday, the SNP launched a weekend of digital action in a bid to connect with 2.5 million Scots and share the message that Both Votes SNP is the only way to stop Westminster blocking Scotland’s right to decide its own future.
Commenting ahead of Boris Johnson’s speech to the Scottish Tory conference, the SNP’s Michael Russell said:
“No one is proposing holding an independence referendum now, but if the people back a post-pandemic referendum in the coming election then democracy must prevail.
“So today I’m challenging Boris Johnson to make his position crystal clear: does he accept that Scotland has the democratic right to choose independence in a post-pandemic referendum – or is his position that the people should never be allowed to choose their own future under any circumstances?
“In true Trump-like fashion, Boris Johnson will address Tory party members today and signal that should they lose the Holyrood election in May – then he simply won’t recognise the result.
“But privately, the Prime Minister and his colleagues know that a Trump-like bid to deny democracy is untenable and unacceptable – which is why they are so busy in the background making plans on how to contest an independence referendum.
“This election boils down to one important question: who do voters want to lead Scotland’s social and economic recovery from this pandemic?
“A Scottish Government, democratically elected in Scotland by the people who live and work here, or a Westminster government that we didn’t vote for led by the likes of Boris Johnson.
“If Scottish voters in May back the SNP’s plan to hold a post-pandemic referendum, then he has no right to block it.
“It’s time Boris Johnson cut the bluster and gave voters a straight answer.
“Will his Tory government at Westminster try to impose an indefinite veto on a post-pandemic referendum in Scotland?”
