THE SNP will introduce a bill in Westminster to devolve independence referendum powers to Holyrood.
"It's time we take the power out of the hands of Westminster politicians and put it into the hands of a Scottish Parliament that will deliver on people’s priorities and wishes," SNP MP Graham Leadbitter said.
The Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP also called the collapsing Labour government’s opposition to an independence referendum “undemocratic” and vowed to use every parliamentary mechanism at his disposal to secure one.
He will deliver a presentation bill to the floor of the House of Commons today.
The bill has been signed by all 8 SNP MPs, including the newly elected MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, Lara Bird who will be sworn in today.
Leadbitter said the timing was appropriate given the earlier announcement on Monday of Keir Starmer’s departure from Number 10 as well as the SNP being re-elected in last month's Holyrood election.
“Westminster has consistently taken an undemocratic approach to Scotland’s people and their calls for a vote. It's time we take the power out of the hands of Westminster politicians and put it into the hands of a Scottish Parliament that will deliver on people’s priorities and wishes," Leadbitter said.
“Scotland just delivered an overwhelming majority of pro-independence MSPs to the Scottish Parliament - the largest number in history - their demand for a fresh vote deserves to be heard."
He added: “There are now also hundreds of thousands of voters in Scotland who were either not old enough to vote or not living here for the 2014 referendum. That number will reach a million in the next four years. It’s perfectly reasonable and democratic to put the question of Independence to the people of Scotland and the Scottish Parliament must have the power to do so.
“It’s particularly appropriate that this bill will be presented today, fresh off the back of the Prime Minister’s resignation announcement. Keir Starmer joins a growing list of Prime Ministers who’ve delivered absolutely nothing of value for Scotland except another reason to back independence."
The SNP MP went on: “We were promised change but got more of the same and worse, and now we’re going to be subject to the self-serving manoeuvres of Andy Burnham who’ll be equally as bad.
"While Westminster is distracted and embroiled in civil war we'll use every mechanism at our disposal to secure an independence referendum.
“The people of Scotland should embrace the chance to permanently escape the chaos of Westminster by voting for a fresh start with independence.”
