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Ruth Davidson: Indyref2 calls 'unjustified and irresponsible' Ruth Davidson: Indyref2 calls 'unjustified and irresponsible'
(about 9 hours later)
SNP calls for a second independence referendum in the wake of the Brexit vote are "unjustified and irresponsible", the Scottish Conservative Party leader will say.SNP calls for a second independence referendum in the wake of the Brexit vote are "unjustified and irresponsible", the Scottish Conservative Party leader will say.
Ruth Davidson will challenge the SNP to "put the national interest before its own Nationalist vision for once".Ruth Davidson will challenge the SNP to "put the national interest before its own Nationalist vision for once".
She will use her speech to lobby journalists at Westminster. She will deliver her speech to journalists at Westminster later.
An SNP spokesman said: "A second independence referendum is an option which is very much on the table." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was the "irresponsibility" of the Tories that had led to the referendum.
He added: "Even the Scottish Tories now agree that the UK government cannot stand in the way." Tweeting in response to Ms Davidson's comments, the SNP leader said: "Contrition from Ruth Davidson would be more apt. The irresponsibility of her party put Scotland in this position."
'Democratic reality'
Although Ms Davidson has said a second independence referendum is "not in the best interests of Scotland", earlier this month she said a possible second Scottish independence referendum should not be blocked by the UK government.Although Ms Davidson has said a second independence referendum is "not in the best interests of Scotland", earlier this month she said a possible second Scottish independence referendum should not be blocked by the UK government.
First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has already said the European referendum result and Scotland's vote to stay in make another ballot on Scotland leaving the UK "highly likely". Nicola Sturgeon has already said the European referendum result and Scotland's vote to stay in make another ballot on Scotland leaving the UK "highly likely".
Meanwhile, the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson has said that a second independence referendum is "exactly what we will do" if Scotland is not permitted to remain in Europe.Meanwhile, the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson has said that a second independence referendum is "exactly what we will do" if Scotland is not permitted to remain in Europe.
However, Angela Eagle, who is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership of the UK Labour Party, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that Scottish independence was not the answer.
She said: "I think that we need to ensure that we can move forward as a country. I understand the problems that the EU referendum vote caused both in Scotland and Northern Ireland but I believe that we are better if we stick together.
"The people have voted. We've now got to see what we can do to create the best possible circumstances when we leave the EU that do the least damage. I fought very hard on the Remain side of the argument, but unfortunately that has been lost and we have to recognise that democratic reality."
'Divisiveness and toxicity''Divisiveness and toxicity'
In her speech, Ms Davidson will accuse the Nationalists of seeking to make gains from the current turbulent times.In her speech, Ms Davidson will accuse the Nationalists of seeking to make gains from the current turbulent times.
She will also insist that memories of the "divisiveness and toxicity" of the 2014 referendum campaign mean that most Scots do not currently support staging another vote on the issue.She will also insist that memories of the "divisiveness and toxicity" of the 2014 referendum campaign mean that most Scots do not currently support staging another vote on the issue.
She will say: "The SNP is, as usual, trying to seize on a moment of doubt and uncertainty to declare that the shining star of independence is the answer.She will say: "The SNP is, as usual, trying to seize on a moment of doubt and uncertainty to declare that the shining star of independence is the answer.
"And it's trying to claim that, as a result of Brexit, there is now a massive groundswell for a second independence referendum."And it's trying to claim that, as a result of Brexit, there is now a massive groundswell for a second independence referendum.
"This is simply not true. Even after the EU vote, only four in 10 people in Scotland say there should be an independence referendum.""This is simply not true. Even after the EU vote, only four in 10 people in Scotland say there should be an independence referendum."
Ms Davidson will point out that less than two years ago people in Scotland voted "quite clearly" to stay part of the UK.Ms Davidson will point out that less than two years ago people in Scotland voted "quite clearly" to stay part of the UK.
"Indeed two million people voted to do so, more than the 1.6 million in Scotland who voted to remain within the EU," she will say."Indeed two million people voted to do so, more than the 1.6 million in Scotland who voted to remain within the EU," she will say.
"And it is also because people's memories of the divisiveness and toxicity of that independence referendum campaign are still fresh - and many people don't want to revive them.""And it is also because people's memories of the divisiveness and toxicity of that independence referendum campaign are still fresh - and many people don't want to revive them."
'Stability and security''Stability and security'
The Tory MSP will claim that "bluster" from senior SNP MPs that a second referendum will now happen is "utterly unjustified and it is completely irresponsible".The Tory MSP will claim that "bluster" from senior SNP MPs that a second referendum will now happen is "utterly unjustified and it is completely irresponsible".
She will say: "Unjustified because our decision to remain part of the United Kingdom less than two years ago must be respected - as the SNP promised it would do.She will say: "Unjustified because our decision to remain part of the United Kingdom less than two years ago must be respected - as the SNP promised it would do.
"And irresponsible because it only piles uncertainty on top of uncertainty. It is time the SNP put the national interest before its own Nationalist vision for once."And irresponsible because it only piles uncertainty on top of uncertainty. It is time the SNP put the national interest before its own Nationalist vision for once.
"You cannot uphold the EU referendum result in Scotland as sacrosanct while trashing the Independence referendum vote we held just 22 months ago."You cannot uphold the EU referendum result in Scotland as sacrosanct while trashing the Independence referendum vote we held just 22 months ago.
"And you don't solve the questions around leaving one union by walking out on an even more important one.""And you don't solve the questions around leaving one union by walking out on an even more important one."
An SNP spokesman said: "Ruth Davidson has already conceded that Westminster should not block a second independence referendum.An SNP spokesman said: "Ruth Davidson has already conceded that Westminster should not block a second independence referendum.
"The SNP's focus is on the negotiations that lie ahead to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union and our place in the single market."The SNP's focus is on the negotiations that lie ahead to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union and our place in the single market.
"Scotland needs the stability and security of remaining in the world's biggest single market - for jobs, investment and prosperity."Scotland needs the stability and security of remaining in the world's biggest single market - for jobs, investment and prosperity.
"A second independence referendum is an option which is very much on the table - and even the Scottish Tories now agree that the UK Government cannot stand in the way.""A second independence referendum is an option which is very much on the table - and even the Scottish Tories now agree that the UK Government cannot stand in the way."