THE immediate reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s speech from many online independence supporters has been mixed. Well, it's been more negative than positive, to be honest. Some are furious.
Many were expecting the First Minister to stand up and name the date for indyref2. Her call for patience and to “focus on building and winning the political case for independence” has left supporters frustrated.
Lindsay Bruce tweeted: “I'm afraid that this is farcical. The Tories will never willingly give us #indyref2 – why would they? They don't need or care about seats in Scotland, and a new referendum is only an opportunity for them to lose. They are slowly ‘boiling the frog’, and we are letting them.”
Malky agreed: “Nicola sturgeon holds a press conference to tell us nothing new, she's just going to continue to beg Boris for #indyref2 I've only felt this deflated and low twice before after #indyref and after the election that gave Boris a whopping majority, #indyref2020 won't now happen.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon ready for court battle with Boris Johnson over indyref2
However, Martin J Keatings tweeted: “You have to remember something important. She has been advocating for Section 30 and transfer of powers as her central plank on Indyref2 and that is the right thing to do. That is, the first plan with regards to calling a referendum. She must remain consistent on that point.”
Lynn Blair tweeted: “Hopeless. We don't need 'clever wheezes' @NicolaSturgeon. We need courage and strategy, determination and guts. I like you, but you don't have it. Feeling utterly defeated & deflated which is strange because you did exactly what I thought you would.”
Simon Varwell tweeted: “Abysmal speech from Sturgeon. It would have passed for the barest acceptable basics the day after the Brexit vote, but approaching four years later it pisses all over EU nationals, insults everyone who gave the repeated mandates, and is as much use as a Farage speech.”
Andrew G Morton wrote: “I just realised that Nicola Sturgeon has thought of a brilliant ruse to get round the 'Once in a Generation' argument. She's going to wait for a generation.”
RevStu tweeted: “This is feebler than I expected. I thought there might at least be some sort of illusionary, diversionary action.”
Ron Dickinson wrote: “The Big Announcement? Was that it? We have royal assent for Referendums Bill, another pro- #indyref2 vote in Holyrood and a poll showing majority for independence – all in same week!! Opportunity to build on that momentum ... missed?”
Ben-Jelloun said the First Minister had “chosen the right option”.
They added: “We need to be absolutely sure of a win in the next independence referendum, the polls are in our favour but it's far too tight. Support still needs to build but I know there's a lot of impatience amongst indy supporters.”
In a tweet to Ian Blackford and Nicola Sturgeon, Kathryn Shearer wrote: “I’m totally deflated after that speech! I awoke with anticipation that an indyref2 date would be announced, instead we’re being told to wait – wait for what Ian? Irrevocable damage caused by Brexit? I’m spent!”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon's address on Brexit and indyref2 in full
Mark Pryde, however, said the speech was “spot on”.
“Keep the momentum building and make the case stronger. It's easy to demand immediate action but every year under Boris takes is closer to independence.”
There was support for Sturgeon from some of her MPs.
Pete Wishart tweeted: “Fantastic speech. Realistic and clear and outlining what needs to be done. We can not end up being taken down a dead end. We are now so close. Impatience and frustration must not derail us.”
Kirsten Oswald agreed: “Positive, inclusive, respectful, constructive – @NicolaSturgeon setting out next steps towards independence. A powerful speech focused on ambition for all of Scotland. This is what leadership looks like.”
However, their Westminster colleague Angus MacNeil was underwhelmed: “Ok seems the development is the Scot Gov will re-test the question with the Electoral Commission, Should Scotland be an independent country and some elected reps to sign a modern Claim of Right for Scotland.”
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