IAN Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, has dismissed claims of differences within his party over a second independence referendum, saying it is putting “all its efforts” into securing a poll this year.
He lashed out at Boris Johnson’s policies, which he said would harm Scotland’s economic prosperity, and said he had witnessed the momentum for change up and down the country.
Speaking exclusively to The National, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber said the need for the SNP to provide leadership has never been greater.
“We have left the EU, but the real change comes with exiting transition at the end of 2020,” said Blackford.
“As I travel around Scotland, businesses have a real concern that access to labour, from EU workers coming to Scotland, is being stopped by Boris Johnson at the end of this year.
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“His policies are literally going to harm the economic prosperity and opportunities of Scotland.”
Blackford said people all over the UK were aware of the damaging nature of Johnson’s policies.
“I am having conversation after conversation with those who have moved from No to Yes. There is a recognition that an independent Scotland in Europe becomes a destination.
“We can rescue Scotland from the isolation that the Tories in Westminster want to consign us to.
“Momentum is with us. Let us not forget the Tories lost more than half their seats in Scotland at the Westminster election on their campaign message of say no to indyref2.
“On the other hand, the SNP message of the people of Scotland having the right to choose our own future found support right across Scotland.”
Blackford said it was only a matter of time before Johnson acceded to demands for indyref2, and the SNP would bring the people of Scotland with it.
He said: “Boris Johnson can’t and will not be able to continue to say no. He knows it, we know it.
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“That is why the First Minister has signalled our intention to establish a constitutional convention.
“We will provide the necessary leadership. We will allow momentum to develop.
“Let us stand together, deepen and broaden our support.
“We know that sovereignty rests with the people of Scotland, but that roadmap towards independence means that we bring the people with us as we outline an inclusive offering, asking people to recognise that now is the time to complete the powers of the Scottish Parliament – but we do this by staying the course we are currently on.”
Blackford went on to dismiss reports of a split within the SNP over a new poll: “The party’s not going to split, the party is united on its desire to see the people of Scotland have the right to choose their own future.
“We need to stay on the path that we’re on and I’d encourage colleagues and supporters to have that strength of character to recognise that we will win, but we will win through our unity of purpose.”
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On the timing of a new referendum, Blackford added: “If we cannot achieve it this year, and all our efforts are going to be on making sure that is the case, but if we don’t do it, then this is the backdrop to the 2021 election.”
Earlier, Blackford told the PA news agency that Johnson’s Government would have to “revisit the issue of transition” in the absence of a full trade agreement with the EU.
He said he was “deeply concerned” over talk about not aligning with the EU as he cautioned against the possible impact of tariffs on Scottish jobs and prosperity.
His comments came as Michel Barnier (above), the EU’s chief negotiator, warned there were “very serious divergences” with the UK following the first round of negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal.
Johnson has ruled out extending the transition period beyond December 31, meaning that the UK will do business with the EU on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms on January 1, 2021, unless an agreement with Brussels is in place.
Blackford dismissed as “fantasy” the idea “that some kind of trade deal can be done with north America over a quick period” without any risks on tariffs or to the NHS, and added: “The potential of a trade deal with the US is pretty marginal when it’s set aside what we stand to lose from not doing the right thing when it comes to trade arrangements with the EU.”
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