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Scottish independence: SNP asked for 'clarity' over talk of a fast-tracked second referendum Scottish independence: SNP asked for 'clarity' over talk of a fast-tracked second referendum
(5 months later)
The Scottish National Party should make clear if they are laying the foundations of a fast-tracked second referendum and intend to make another Yes-No on the union the highlight of their election manifesto next year, according to the Scottish Secretary and his Labour shadow.The Scottish National Party should make clear if they are laying the foundations of a fast-tracked second referendum and intend to make another Yes-No on the union the highlight of their election manifesto next year, according to the Scottish Secretary and his Labour shadow.
David Mundell, Scotland’s sole Conservative MP, and Ian Murray, the only MP to survive the wipe-out of Labour’s seats in Scotland, have both demanded Nicola Sturgeon reveal any change in the SNP’s position. David Mundell, Scotland’s sole Conservative MP, and Ian Murray, the only MP to survive the wipe-out of Labour’s seats in Scotland, have both demanded Nicola Sturgeon reveal any change in the SNP’s position. 
Scotland’s former first minister, Alex Salmond, told the BBC that another in-out vote on Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom was “inevitable” with the timing of that in the hands of Ms Sturgeon.Scotland’s former first minister, Alex Salmond, told the BBC that another in-out vote on Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom was “inevitable” with the timing of that in the hands of Ms Sturgeon.
But David Cameron appeared to clash with the SNP when he flatly refused to consider another independence referendum.
In comments that some interpreted as designed to claw back autonomy from Edinburgh, Mr Cameron indicated that any decision by the Scottish Government to unilaterally decide to hold a referendum would not be legitimate.
He added that the result of last year's vote, which saw the Scottish people reject breaking away from the rest of the United Kingdom, had been "decisive" so there was no need for a repeat.
"I think it is important that a referendum is legal and fair and properly constituted and that's what we had and it was decisive so I don't see the need for another one," he said.
Asked what would happen if Scotland legislated for a referendum on its own, he said: "I took a very clear approach that these things must be legitimate and that's my view."
The First Minister repeatedly stated throughout the general election campaign that another referendum was not being contemplated and said there were no plans  for its inclusion as a policy objective in 2016 Scottish elections.The First Minister repeatedly stated throughout the general election campaign that another referendum was not being contemplated and said there were no plans  for its inclusion as a policy objective in 2016 Scottish elections.
However that position shifted substantially when Derek Mackay, the SNP chairman, announced that “independence” and its place in the manifesto would be debated at the SNP conference this autumn.However that position shifted substantially when Derek Mackay, the SNP chairman, announced that “independence” and its place in the manifesto would be debated at the SNP conference this autumn.
Although Ms Sturgeon previously said a follow-up referendum would be down to the Scottish people, speaking to the BBC on a visit to China she said the option of a re-run  vote being part of her party’s 2016 manifesto would now be a decision taken by herself.Although Ms Sturgeon previously said a follow-up referendum would be down to the Scottish people, speaking to the BBC on a visit to China she said the option of a re-run  vote being part of her party’s 2016 manifesto would now be a decision taken by herself.
She said: “It will up to me or any future leader of the SNP to decide whether or not that [another referendum] goes in a manifesto for the Scottish election.”She said: “It will up to me or any future leader of the SNP to decide whether or not that [another referendum] goes in a manifesto for the Scottish election.”
Her statement is an effective U-turn on the promise that the referendum was a once-in-lifetime or a once-in-a-generation event.Her statement is an effective U-turn on the promise that the referendum was a once-in-lifetime or a once-in-a-generation event.
The Scottish Secretary, Mr Mundell, said he wanted “clarity” on the SNP’s position. “At the moment we’ve got Alex Salmond pushing for a second referendum, and we’ve got Nicola Sturgeon not being very clear at all. They’ve repeatedly said – at an official level - that there isn’t going to be a second referendum. I don’t think it is for the SNP to determine whether the people of Scotland are in favour of having another referendum, ” he said.The Scottish Secretary, Mr Mundell, said he wanted “clarity” on the SNP’s position. “At the moment we’ve got Alex Salmond pushing for a second referendum, and we’ve got Nicola Sturgeon not being very clear at all. They’ve repeatedly said – at an official level - that there isn’t going to be a second referendum. I don’t think it is for the SNP to determine whether the people of Scotland are in favour of having another referendum, ” he said.
Mr Mundell, in response to written parliamentary questions, said the government had made no contingency plans for a second Scottish in-out vote.Mr Mundell, in response to written parliamentary questions, said the government had made no contingency plans for a second Scottish in-out vote.
The Shadow Scottish Secretary, Mr Murray said : “People will worried that Nicola Sturgeon isn’t keeping the promise she made before the referendum. We’ve gone from the ‘the people will decide’ to Nicola Sturgeon will decide. We can’t afford to put the country on pause for another two years again.”The Shadow Scottish Secretary, Mr Murray said : “People will worried that Nicola Sturgeon isn’t keeping the promise she made before the referendum. We’ve gone from the ‘the people will decide’ to Nicola Sturgeon will decide. We can’t afford to put the country on pause for another two years again.”