Scottish independence is ‘not inevitable’ says Douglas Ross

The leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Douglas Ross, told the Centre for Policy Studies that disinterest in the union from the rest of the UK is one of the worst things for their fight against the SNP. He added that it is not inevitable that Nicola Sturgeon’s party will secure a majority in the May 2021 election.

Mr Ross said: “I think the most useful thing is to end the defeatism.

“Defeatism and disinterest in the union is one of the worst things for our support to hear in Scotland.

“People who already believe that the union has already lost this argument in Scotland are wrong.

“I do not believe that independence is inevitable, I think we have got a very strong passion positive case to deliver for Scotland’s place in the union.

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“We just need to ensure that all unionists believe in that.

“That all unionists get behind that, it is a more positive message that we can take to people in Scotland.”

He added: “Scotland has got a lot to offer, the UK has got a lot to offer Scotland as well.

“This constant talk that it is inevitable and that the SNP will win a majority, no it is not.

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“We have shown in the past that it is not inevitable because of the way the SNP lost their majority as a result of the Scottish Conservatives.

“Independence is not inevitable either and we have just got to change that narrative.”

Scotland’s First Minister has outlined her plans to push forward with a “legal referendum” on Scottish independence if her party secures a majority in the May election.

However, this approach has been heavily criticised by the leaders of the opposition parties in Scotland.

Mr Ross said: “Most Scots will wonder why time, energy and resources are going into pursuing an illegal referendum when we are facing far bigger challenges as a country right now than the constitution.”

While Jackie Baillie, the interim leader of Scottish Labour, stated: “It is inexcusable that at this time of acute crisis the SNP seeks to put its plan for independence above everything else.”

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, added: “Thousands of people have lost their lives, even more are living with the long term effects of the virus, the hospitals are bursting at the seams, operations are cancelled, businesses are on their knees, schools are shut yet the SNP think now is the time to restart their campaign to break up the UK.

“It is crass, insensitive and the wrong priority for our country.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly rejected the notion of another Scottish independence referendum, insisting the last vote in 2014 was a “once in a generation” vote. 

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