The government will not be entertaining the prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum, a minister has suggested, despite Andy Burnham opening the door to a second referendum on membership of the European Union, reports BritPanorama.
Justice secretary Alex Norris said he “wouldn’t link the two things” when asked if conversations about a redo of the Brexit referendum mean the same could happen with Scottish independence.
This statement follows Mr. Burnham’s admission that he is open to reversing Brexit, insisting he could go “all the way” in proposing to rejoin the European Union.
When asked whether the government would consider re-opening the debate over Scottish independence, Norris told Sky News: “I wouldn’t link the two things. One of those questions is about our forward-looking engagement with our European partners to get the best of the country.
“That’s different from the question of the union. You’ve seen again what the prime minister said about that very strongly: that we believe in the Union and that we will safeguard it. But I wouldn’t link the two particularly.”
Pressed on whether the government is interested in reopening that debate, he stated: “Well, I recall it being said that that was a generational debate on that day, and you know the answer was the answer.”
During the Labour Party Conference last week, the prime minister blamed Brexit for a decade of drift and division, declaring it was “not good enough” to leave the issue of the EU “hanging.”
When asked if he wanted the UK to rejoin the bloc, he expressed a desire to examine the “pros and cons” of all options regarding the UK’s future relationship with Brussels, considering the possibility to “go all the way” and resume full membership.
“We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” he clarified. “We could look at what George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market or we could go all the way.”
Mr. Osborne commented that Brexit “has been a mess” and while rejoining the EU would be difficult, returning to the customs union would help alleviate some pressure on the UK economy.
Fresh inquiries regarding Scottish independence arise after the first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations met in Cardiff last month, declaring jointly that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end.”
The memorandum of understanding signed by Mr. Swinney, along with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill, aimed to pressure the prime minister into agreeing to hold independence referendums.
Mr. Swinney stated during the Holyrood election campaign earlier this year that he would seek to push forward with plans to achieve independence if the SNP was voted back into power. He claimed the movement for self-determination in Scotland is “gathering pace” and argued there is a growing acceptance on all sides that Westminster’s position of vetoing democracy is unsustainable.
