THE SNP Westminster group’s new deputy leader, Mhairi Black, has challenged Rishi Sunak to set out the democratic route to independence – something he failed to do at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The Tory leader was challenged by SNP MP Philippa Whitford in the Commons on whether he “believes the UK is a voluntary Union”.
She added: “If so, can he explain the democratic route by which the people of Scotland can choose whether to stay in it or not?”
Sunak avoided providing an answer, stating only: “We fully respect the decision of the Supreme Court [that Holyrood cannot legislate for indyref2] and believe strongly in the United Kingdom.
“We will work constructively with the Scottish Government to deliver for the people of Scotland.”
Pulling him up on his evasion, Black has written to the Prime Minister demanding a straight answer.
I have written to the Prime Minister following up on the brilliant question by @Dr_PhilippaW at PMQs. He didn’t answer her, so let’s see if he will reply to this. https://t.co/MQSqxjf6Iz pic.twitter.com/33EXpY28v7
— Mhairi Black MP🏳️🌈 (@MhairiBlack) December 9, 2022
The SNP group deputy leader challenged Sunak to clarify if he agrees with previous statements from Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove that “if an independence referendum is the settled will of the Scottish people, one will occur”.
Black said: “On two separate occasions, my colleague Dr Philippa Whitford MP asked the Prime Minister what the democratic route for Scotland to choose her independence is, and on both occasions, he failed to answer.
“That is why I’m challenging the Prime Minister to confirm whether or not he agrees with his ministerial colleagues that an independence referendum will occur if it is the settled will of the Scottish people."
She added: “And this time, instead of helplessly hiding behind the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister could actually show leadership and outline exactly how Scotland can choose to exercise its democratic right in this so-called ‘voluntary Union’.
“However, the Prime Minister must be in no doubt that for every day Scotland’s democracy is denied, the stronger our case will grow.”
It comes as polling shows independence support at levels as high as 56% in the wake of the Supreme Court blocking a second vote.
However, the new leadership of the SNP’s Westminster group has faced a rocky start, with three MPs resigning from the party’s frontbench in a single day.
