BBC’s Andrew Marr claimed that Nicola Sturgeon’s independence plans risks turning into a disaster for Scotland. He suggested that her desire for Scotland to govern itself would be short-lived because, as part of the EU, Scotland would be left with just six MEPs out of 751. Marr grilled Ms Sturgeon as the political parties gear up for the final election push before the vote on Thursday.

Marr said: “Under your plans, Scotland would be in the EU. You would have one percent of the total EU population, and will have six out of the 751 MEPs.

“How is Scotland going to force big countries to change their fishing policies? Their agricultural policies?”

Ms Sturgeon used Ireland as an example of a small country wielding strong influence.

She said: “Look at Ireland to see how a small country can command total solidity and support from the EU. Small countries actually have a lot of influence in the EU.”

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Marr rebutted: “It’s a big ask though, it’s a big ask.”

The SNP leader continued: “Right now Scotland doesn’t have seats at the top of the table in the EU.

“We have to rely on the UK government which sometimes represents our interests sometimes doesn’t because our interests diverge.

“We would be in the position as these other small, independent powerful countries.”

Despite Ms Sturgeon’s drive for an independent Scotland during the election campaign, recent polling suggests support for a new referendum is waning.

A YouGov poll for The Times saw fifty-six per cent of voters say they want to stay in the UK versus 44 per cent in favour of separation.

In the 2014 independence referendum, 55 per cent of Scots voted no and 45 per cent voted yes.

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Ms Sturgeon has put independence at the centre of her election campaign, even claiming it is a red line for any post-election agreement with other parties.

She has said that no party leader seeking her support in the event of a hung parliament should “bother picking up the phone” if they were not going agree to a second referendum taking place in the second half of next year.

Later in her interview with Marr this morning, the SNP leader said: “I’m not asking Labour to support Scottish independence, I’m making the reasonable request they respect a principle.”

She also claimed Labour would not “turn their backs” on the SNP in the event it forms a minority government.

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