The SNP has challenged the Tory government in Westminster to “make the case for the Union” as it embarks on a second independence referendum campaign.
Ian Blackford MP accused Dominic Raab of having “simply run out of ideas to defend the failing Westminster system” as he confronted the Deputy Prime Minister in the Commons.
Raab was confronted on the independence issue while standing in for Boris Johnson, who is attending a Nato summit in Madrid on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Confusion over referendum strategy as Sweeney contradicts Sturgeon
Having repeated Nicola Sturgeon’s determination to have a referendum in October 2023, Blackford accused the Tories of running scared of democracy.
He told the Commons: “The harsh reality is the Tories might fear democratic debate but they don’t have the right to block Scottish democracy.
"Just last year the Scottish Conservative leader put it in his own words – a vote for the Scottish National Party is another vote for an independence referendum.
“Well, you won’t often hear me say this but I agree with him, and so do the Scottish people. Scottish democracy will not be the prisoner of any prime minister in this place.
“So why is the UK Government scared of democracy or has it simply run out of ideas to defend the failing Westminster system?”
Raab took the attack in his stride though.
He replied: “I think he’s rather airbrushing history with that long soliloquy, but he mentioned the problems that Scotland faces, a huge tax burden imposed by the SNP, Scotland’s record on science and maths under the international Pisa rankings have dropped below England and Wales, and the SNP have presided over the worst drug death rate in Europe – the highest since records began.
“I think the people of Scotland expect their governments in Holyrood and Westminster to work together to tackle the issues facing them in their day-to-day lives.”
Labour’s Angela Rayner came off worse from sparring with Raab as she called for the the deputy Prime Minister and other Tory MPs to dump Boris Johnson.
She said: “Britain can’t stomach this Prime Minister for another eight years. He’s own backbenchers can’t stomach him for another eight minutes, and if they continue to prop him up, Mr Speaker, I doubt the voters will prop him up for even eight seconds at the ballot box.
“Let’s imagine, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister is still clinging on into the 2030s under this tax high, low growth Tory Government. At this rate by 2030 the British public will have endured 55 tax rises. So how many more tax rises will this Government inflict on working families before he says enough is enough.”
Raab responded: “I gently point out to her that we want this party leader to be around a lot longer than she wants the leader of the Labour Party.
“We’ve got a working majority of 75. We’re focusing on delivering for the British people.”
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