The Scottish Conservatives have today slammed the other opposition parties for “breathtaking complacency” over John Swinney’s threat to break up the UK.
During last night’s BBC leaders’ debate, Swinney again insisted that an SNP majority would be a mandate for an independence referendum, which he said could be held in 2028.
While Russell Findlay vowed that his party will always oppose the Nationalists’ efforts to inflict more constitutional chaos on Scotland, the other opposition parties were “pathetically weak or in denial”, according to Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton.
Reform leader Lord Offord, who is fielding several pro-independence candidates, was open to another referendum, Labour’s Anas Sarwar sought to dismiss the threat of independence and Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Liberal Democrats claimed he hadn’t given it a moment’s thought.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “John Swinney is deadly serious about breaking up the UK, and he put his plans up in neon lights last night.
“If the SNP win a majority, which he thinks is in the bag, Swinney will push relentlessly for an independence referendum. He even said it could be held in 2028.
“The threat is real and obvious, yet Russell Findlay is the only opposition party leader alive to it and prepared to stand up to Swinney on Scotland’s place in the Union.
“The other party leaders showed breathtaking complacency. They are either pathetically weak or in denial about Swinney’s intentions.
“Reform are fielding pro-independence candidates, and Lord Offord again provided Swinney with a route map to another referendum. Reform can’t claim to be a Unionist party when they are so soft on this issue.
“Last night’s debate was a wake-up call to pro-UK voters. John Swinney will ignore the day job and devote all his attention to his independence obsession if he wins the election outright.
“That’s why it’s imperative that they vote Scottish Conservative on their peach ballot – to stop an SNP majority.”