NICOLA Sturgeon has indicated she and her party would not support an Alba motion calling on the Scottish Government to immediately start independence negotiations following next week’s election.
If Alex Salmond’s party succeeds in winning seats on May 6, their policy is to call on ministers to open a dialogue with the UK Government on the delivery of indyref2 and the possible terms of independence.
The policy is distinct from that of the SNP, who have called for a referendum on Scotland’s future to be held in the next parliamentary term.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, the SNP leader dismissed the Alba push for a more fast-paced strategy on self-determination.
READ MORE: Alex Salmond: Boris Johnson's uncertain future means now is time for indy push
Early in the interview, Sturgeon wanted to make clear that she is “not proposing a referendum right now … certainly not proposing a referendum while the country is still dealing with the crisis of Covid”.
“Some of my critics in the independence movement might, or do, say that I’m too cautious on that front,” she told listeners. “But actually I think it’s a good thing to be cautious when we’re talking about a crisis. A health crisis and of course the future of our country.”
The presenter then brought up the former First Minister’s new party, which is only standing on the list on May 6 with the aim of creating an independence “supermajority”.
“If they do get into the parliament they’ve said they’re going to put down a motion immediately to instruct the Scottish Government to start independence negotiations. Would you then, as the SNP, vote against that motion?” he asked.
Sturgeon replied: “Well firstly, before I substantively answer that, the polls right now – and I accept that polls are polls and it’s votes that’s will count – will suggest that’s not going to be the reality next week.
“Alba are polling at 2, 3% or thereabouts. But we’ll see what the election throws up next Thursday. But my immediate focus if I’m re-elected next Thursday is to get back to work, to continue to steer the country through Covid.”
The host replied: “So you’d vote against Alba if they suggested that?”
The First Minister said again that is she is not proposing a referendum right now.
“I’m a life-long believer in independence, I want Scotland to be independent,” she said. “But firstly we’ve got to steer the country through the crisis and of course we’ve got to build the majority for independence through patient persuasion.
READ MORE: Alan Cumming and Brian Cox among stars joining SNP's digital election rally
“And people who are serious about achieving independence, I think, understand that. I actually think talk of supermajorities and gaming the system and trying to bulldoze our way to independence almost regardless of the state of public opinion, it risks putting those that we need to persuade of the case for independence off rather than pulling them towards us.”
The BBC presenter added: “So that’s … to say that if Alba were to put down that motion you would instruct the SNP to vote against it.”
Alba’s official policy is for negotiations to start immediately, before a National Commission for Scotland’s independence is set up. This would exist to “build a robust and fully formed plan for how an independent Scotland will be built”.
READ MORE: Scottish election: Poll predicts SNP and Greens will form pro-independence majority
Their manifesto also suggests using “diplomatic pressure and international legal action, and the mobilisation of the Scottish people through popular and peaceful demonstration and direct action”.
Panelbase polls have found support for Alba higher than other firms, with the company consistently putting support for the party at about 6%. This would translate into seats in the Scottish Parliament, the firm says.
Yesterday a new Savanta ComRes poll put support for the SNP in both the constituency and list down slightly, and predicted the party would miss out on a majority and lose two seats next week.
It recorded support for the pro-independence Scottish Greens three points up, with the party on track to secure 11 MSPs. Under the Savanta ComRes model there would be 72 pro-independence MSPs elected to Holyrood.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel