Boris Johnson says Jeremy Corbyn would 'dance to the SNP's tune' as he vows to block Indyref2
4 min read
Boris Johnson has accused Jeremy Corbyn of "dancing to the SNP's tune" as he vowed to block a second independence referendum if he wins the election.
The Prime Minister will visit Scotland on his first full day on the campaign trail, and will herald the 12 December snap poll as "crucial" moment for Scotland's future.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants "Indyref2" to take place next year, and will request what is known as a Section 30 order giving Holyrood the legal power to set one up.
While Scottish Labour is officially opposed to a second vote, a UK party spokesperson last week opened the door to a Jeremy Corbyn government allowing one to take place.
Speaking ahead of his visit north of the Border, Mr Johnson said: "A vote for the Scottish Conservatives is a vote to stop a second independence referendum and to get Brexit done so we can spend 2020 taking back control of our fishing waters, getting a fairer deal for our farmers, and investing in public services to give people better healthcare and better education.
"The other choice is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn who would spend next year dancing to the SNP's tune, wasting the year with two divisive referendums - one on the EU and one to give up on our Union.
And he added: "Only a vote for the Conservatives will stop the SNP's plans to break up the UK - the most fantastic and successful political union in the world. I will never give up on our incredible Union."
But SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon hit back at the Prime Minister, saying: "The only thing Boris Johnson should be coming to Scotland to do today is apologise for the chaos he and his party have subjected us to for years.
"He is a prime architect of the Brexit vote and the utter shambles it has now led to."
Ms Sturgeon - who has long argued that Brexit vote changes the circumstances in Scotland and warrants a re-run of the 2014 independence vote - told a rally in Glasgow at the weekend that Scotland should be able to "choose our own future".
And she vowed to turn the election campaign into a bid to send the "biggest, loudest most resounding message to Westminster" in favour of a fresh vote.
"It is time for Scotland to be an independent country," she said,.
"An independent country that will be the best of friends and family with our neighbours across the British Isles, across Europe and across the world."
'POLL OF THE PEOPLE'
Speaking at Scottish Labour's own campaign launch on Wednesday, leader Richard Leonard said he did not believe the SNP yet had a mandate for requesting another referendum.
"The premise currently of the SNP’s call for a second independence referendum is Brexit," he argued.
"In six months’ time, seven months’ time, we could have a Remain vote in a Brexit poll of the people, which will take away that argument completely."
Mr Johnson's Scottish campaign visit comes after he was hit by the resignation of MP Ross Thomson, who ran the Scottish campaign in the Prime Minister's bid for the Tory leadership over the summer.
Mr Thomson quit as an MP after being accused of groping by a Labour MP - an allegation he described as "a political smear".
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“With the Conservatives starting this General Election as favourites – they are 1/7 (87.72%) to be returned as the largest party and evens (50%) to win a majority, Boris Johnson will want to make the union a central part of his case, especially as there are many concerns over the place of Scotland in the UK.
"The Conservatives do face a challenge to hold off the SNP, however – Star go 5/6 (54.65%) that they win 51 or more Seats, returning to the dominance they had before 2017, and if that’s the case there will be a huge amount of pressure for their strategy in the north to work.”
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