Wednesday 12 August 2015

Edinburgh agreement precludes another Scottish referendum for a generation

Last year we had an independence referendum that was legal, fair and decisive – and the people of Scotland voted decisively to keep our family of nations together and remain part of the United Kingdom.

Both Governments then signed the Edinburgh Agreement, which committed them to respect the outcome of the referendum. The Scottish Government's own White Paper made it clear that the referendum was a once in a generation event, and that commitment was repeated by Yes campaigners including the First Minister herself.

With serious concerns about the performance of Police Scotland, access to GPs and the attainment gap in Scottish schools, the SNP now needs to stop agitating for a second referendum and start saying what they plan to do with the powers they’ve got and the substantial powers which are on the way through the Scotland Bill, to improve the lives of the Scottish people.