This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39002351
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tony Blair says independence case is 'more credible' after Brexit | Tony Blair says independence case is 'more credible' after Brexit |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will say the context for the pro-Scottish independence case is "much more credible" after the Brexit vote. | Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will say the context for the pro-Scottish independence case is "much more credible" after the Brexit vote. |
| During a speech later he will say the vote to leave the EU puts the break-up of the UK back on the table. | During a speech later he will say the vote to leave the EU puts the break-up of the UK back on the table. |
| The former Labour PM will argue that people voted without knowing the terms of leaving and therefore have a right to change their minds. | The former Labour PM will argue that people voted without knowing the terms of leaving and therefore have a right to change their minds. |
| First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second referendum is "very likely". | First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second referendum is "very likely". |
| Tony Blair calls for people to 'rise up' against Brexit | Tony Blair calls for people to 'rise up' against Brexit |
| The SNP argues that since a majority in Scotland voted to Remain, this represents a material change in circumstances sufficient to make the case for a second independence vote. | |
| At the weekend, former first minister and SNP MP Alex Salmond indicated a decision on whether to hold a second referendum could come within weeks. | |
| He said the UK government's response to Scottish plans to protect trade with Europe would be crucial. | He said the UK government's response to Scottish plans to protect trade with Europe would be crucial. |
| Mr Salmond, the SNP's international affairs spokesman at Westminster, said a rejection of the plans would probably result in an autumn 2018 referendum. | Mr Salmond, the SNP's international affairs spokesman at Westminster, said a rejection of the plans would probably result in an autumn 2018 referendum. |
| 'Rise up' | 'Rise up' |
| Mr Blair, who was UK prime minister between 1997 and 2007, will say in his speech to the pro-European campaign group Open Britain that those driving a withdrawal from the European Union "always wanted a hard Brexit". | Mr Blair, who was UK prime minister between 1997 and 2007, will say in his speech to the pro-European campaign group Open Britain that those driving a withdrawal from the European Union "always wanted a hard Brexit". |
| He will announce his "mission" to persuade Britons to "rise up" and change their minds on leaving the EU. | He will announce his "mission" to persuade Britons to "rise up" and change their minds on leaving the EU. |
| In relation to Scotland, he will say: "In addition to all this, the possibility of the break-up of the UK - narrowly avoided by the result of the Scottish referendum - is now back on the table but this time with a context much more credible for the independence case. | In relation to Scotland, he will say: "In addition to all this, the possibility of the break-up of the UK - narrowly avoided by the result of the Scottish referendum - is now back on the table but this time with a context much more credible for the independence case. |
| "We are already seeing the de-stabilising impact of worry over border arrangements on the Northern Ireland peace process. | "We are already seeing the de-stabilising impact of worry over border arrangements on the Northern Ireland peace process. |
| "None of this ignores the challenges the country faces in common with many other countries: those left behind by globalisation; the aftermath of the financial crisis; stagnant incomes amongst a section of the public; and for sure the pressures posed by big increases in migration which make perfectly reasonable people anxious and feeling unheard in their anxiety." | "None of this ignores the challenges the country faces in common with many other countries: those left behind by globalisation; the aftermath of the financial crisis; stagnant incomes amongst a section of the public; and for sure the pressures posed by big increases in migration which make perfectly reasonable people anxious and feeling unheard in their anxiety." |
| Stephen Gethins, the SNP's spokesman on Europe at Westminster, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think what Tony Blair is saying is what I'm hearing from a lot of people, which is the case for independence is more credible." | Stephen Gethins, the SNP's spokesman on Europe at Westminster, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think what Tony Blair is saying is what I'm hearing from a lot of people, which is the case for independence is more credible." |
| He added: "Don't forget the Scottish government offered a compromise. | He added: "Don't forget the Scottish government offered a compromise. |
| "It's a compromise that's been talked about elsewhere in Europe - there's a European Parliament report welcoming this compromise to keep us in the single market, because let's not forget the devastating impact on our economy will come from the Tories' hard Brexit." | "It's a compromise that's been talked about elsewhere in Europe - there's a European Parliament report welcoming this compromise to keep us in the single market, because let's not forget the devastating impact on our economy will come from the Tories' hard Brexit." |
| Scotland's only Labour MP, Ian Murray, told Good Morning Scotland the Brexit issue did not make the case for Scottish independence. | Scotland's only Labour MP, Ian Murray, told Good Morning Scotland the Brexit issue did not make the case for Scottish independence. |
| He said: "It (Brexit) certainly makes the grievance towards independence more credible now but I don't see the arguments of 2014 being any more credible now than they were then. | He said: "It (Brexit) certainly makes the grievance towards independence more credible now but I don't see the arguments of 2014 being any more credible now than they were then. |
| "The economic case is worse, certainly, than it was then. If you looked at the oil figures yesterday, in terms of it being a drain on the Treasury rather than it being an £8bn benefit to the Treasury, which was being promised." | "The economic case is worse, certainly, than it was then. If you looked at the oil figures yesterday, in terms of it being a drain on the Treasury rather than it being an £8bn benefit to the Treasury, which was being promised." |