Second referendum ‘could be called over EU vote’

Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP Martyn Day made the comments in a video interview with Independence Live. Picture: Twitter/@martyndaysnp

A SNAP referendum on Scottish independence could be called if the vote on the UK’s future in Europe is divisive, an SNP MP has said.

Martyn Day, who won the Linlithgow and East Falkirk seat in May, said the referendum on European Union (EU) membership being taken forward by the UK Government could be the catalyst for another poll on Scotland’s future.

In a video interview with the Independence Live website, he said: “I think the only way we are going to get our independence is through another independence referendum.

“I’m not sure what the best timing of that is, we’ve got to time it at a time we can win and win quickly.

“The last thing we want is another defeat ... it’ll be when the Scottish people are ready and when they’re ready, that’s when we’ll go for it.”

He added: “We know the fault lines we failed on at the last referendum.

“We didn’t win enough of the elderly pensioners, particularly the older women, we didn’t convince enough people on currency arguments.

“We know that’s the ground we’ve got to address and once we’ve addressed that, possibly combine that with a divisive EU referendum that could see Scotland and England voting differently, we might have the grounds to call for a snap referendum, that might be the catalyst.”

Nicola Sturgeon has so far refused to confirm whether a second referendum will be included in the SNP’s manifesto for the 2016 Holyrood elections.

The issue is not on the draft agenda for October’s party conference.

Responding to Mr Day’s comments, Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “Of course no-one wants to go through a lengthy referendum campaign, which is why a pointless rematch would not be supported by the public.

“But nor should a snap referendum be on the agenda.

“It’s in the interests of the SNP to leave as little time as possible for its half-baked plans to be scrutinised.

“The party should accept the game’s up, it lost, and should move on.”

• SNP ‘to consider plans for second referendum’

• Sturgeon warns of second referendum over EU exit