‘Chaotic instability!’ Nicola Sturgeon ‘only has two gears’ – independence plot in ruins

SNP has ‘no answers’ on independence finances says Hoy

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Scotland’s First Minister is continuing her campaign for a second vote on a possible split from the UK – nearly eight years after Scots voted against it in a historic referendum. Last month, the SNP leader insisted she is “determined” Scots will be able to vote at a second referendum on Scottish independence by the end of 2023. Ms Sturgeon has not set a date on when legislation for IndyRef2 might be introduced into the Scottish Parliament – but hinted a timetable could be revealed in the “coming weeks”.

However her plans have once again come under furious attack at a time when Scotland’s economy is desperately trying to bounce back from the devastating impact of the Covid pandemic.

The First Minister restored a number of Covid restrictions in Scotland shortly before Christmas, causing chaos for millions of people over the festive period.

At the end of last year, a paper by CBI Scotland warned the country is lagging behind other parts of the UK in nine of the 13 productivity indicators – including business investment, exporting and innovation.

In a furious attack, Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden, who was previously Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, told Express.co.uk: “We are seeing a chaotic instability here with the Scottish Government’s actions.

“We know from questioning Angus Robertson in the chamber, civil servants and Government officials have been taken off Government recovery business to begin preparations for an independence referendum.

“That’s really worrying at a time when a global pandemic is still affecting everyone and also with the backdrop of severe economic issues that the Scottish Government are embarking on preparations for a Scottish independence referendum.

“It has been clear – during a lockdown over Christmas, which Nicola Sturgeon put in place, I believe without any evidence to do so – these businesses in hospitality, tourism and night time economy have been severely affected.”

Mr Golden argued the First Minister “has only got two gears – lockdown and full speed to IndyRef2”.

He is urging Ms Sturgeon to focus on Scotland’s economic recovery from the pandemic instead of pushing ahead with a “deeply divisive and economically unstable process for a second independence referendum”.

The Scottish Conservative MSP concluded: “Nicola Sturgeon has only got two gears – lockdown and full speed to IndyRef2.

“Hospitality chiefs have been clear they would like to see the Scottish government stop ramping up plans to split up the country and to fully focus on helping the Scottish economy recover. It really does need to recover.

“The Finance Committee received evidence from the CBI showing Scotland is lagging behind on nine of 13 economic indicators, including productivity, business investment, exports and innovation.

“At a time of economic crisis, we should be focused on recovery, not diverting attention to a deeply divisive and economically unstable process for a second independence referendum.”

Last month, Ms Sturgeon was asked during an interview with the BBC when legislation for a second Scottish independence referendum would be tabled.

She replied: “The preparatory work is underway right now – but we haven’t decided on the date when we would seek to introduce the bill.

“What I have said, and I will happily say again, is that my intention is to take the steps that will facilitate a referendum happening before the end of 2023.

“That’s the proposition, that just short of a year ago, I fought an election on and was reelected as First Minister.

“This is about democracy. It’s about allowing the people of Scotland to choose our own future.

“For goodness sake, when we look at everything that is happening – and has been happening for years now – at Westminster, the chaotic instability, the unpredictability, there are a growing number of people who think we could do better as an independent country.”

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