The Scottish Conservatives have launched a new campaign opposing another independence referendum as the constitutional debate intensifies following talks between nationalist parties in Cardiff.
The campaign was launched on Friday 18 September, the 12th anniversary of the 2014 referendum in which Scotland voted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain in the United Kingdom.
Its launch followed a meeting in Cardiff earlier in the week involving SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill.
The three parties signed a memorandum calling on the UK Government to prepare for and facilitate constitutional change and recognising what they described as the right of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to determine their constitutional futures.
The Scottish Conservatives have responded by urging supporters of the Union to back their campaign against another independence referendum.
Party leader Russell Findlay also challenged Swinney over the Cardiff meeting during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood on Thursday 17 September.
Findlay questioned Swinney over his engagement with Sinn Fein and asked whether he had pressed the party to denounce IRA terrorism.
Swinney told MSPs that he unreservedly condemned terrorism and any terrorist act, while rejecting Findlay’s assertion that he had failed to accept the result of the 2014 referendum.
The First Minister said he had accepted the result and subsequently participated in the Smith Commission process which led to further powers being devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
He also reiterated his support for independence and said he intended to deliver a referendum during the current parliamentary term.
Launching the Conservative campaign the following day, Findlay said:
“Twelve years ago the people of Scotland made their voices heard in the largest act of democracy in our country’s history.
“More than two million Scots rejected the SNP’s bid to break up Britain, but from day one, the nationalists did not respect the decisive result.
“Ever since, Scotland has suffered as the SNP have always put its divisive agenda over effective governance.
“John Swinney’s attendance at the separatist summit in Cardiff confirms that the threat to our country has not diminished.
“With Swinney now forming a morally repugnant pact with Sinn Fein, it’s time for the people of Scotland to make their voices heard again.
“I would urge all those proud Scots who value our place at the heart of a strong United Kingdom to back our campaign.”
The SNP rejects the Conservative argument and maintains that Scotland should have the opportunity to decide its constitutional future again.
The Cardiff agreement has brought that longstanding disagreement back into sharper focus, with the nationalist parties seeking constitutional change while the Scottish Conservatives campaign against another vote.
Twelve years after Scotland’s independence referendum, the arguments surrounding whether the country should be asked the question again remain firmly part of Scottish politics.
