GOVE: THERE WILL BE ANOTHER INDYREF, JUST NOT RIGHT NOW

 

The UK Government would not stand in the way of another vote on Scottish independence if it is the“settled will” of voters, Michael Gove has said.

Westminster has repeatedly rejected requests from the Scottish Government for the necessary powers to hold another vote but the Cabinet Office minister said if the public desire a second referendum, “one would occur”.

The comment comes in the wake of a slight dip in the polls in support for independence.

Consistent polling

Following around a year of consistent polling showing majority support for self government last year – with one poll going as high as 58% in favour – though the numbers began to drop back to around 50/50 at the beginning of 2021.

The most recent survey by Panelbase for the Sunday Times found 48% of the 1,287 respondents supported Scotland's own government managing the country, 47% wanting Westminster to run it for them and 5% of Scots not sure what they want.

Mr Gove told the Scottish media: “The principle that the people of Scotland, in the right circumstances, can ask that question again is there.

“I just don’t think that it is right, and the public don’t think it is right, to ask that question at the moment.

“If it is the case that there is clearly a settled will in favour of a referendum, then one will occur.”

It is unclear what would convince the UK Government that another vote is the “settled will” of Scots but it could potentially mean positive election results for independence parties or continuous polling in favour for a certain period of time.

SNP & Greens control parliament

That being said, the aforementioned consistent support in the polls for well over a year would check one of those boxes and the fact that the SNP won another election just 8 weeks ago, backed up by the Greens, meaning pro independence parties have a commanding majority with some 72 of the Scottish Parliament's129 seats.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said he believed May’s election to be an indicator that the “settled will” of the Scottish people is in favour of independence.

The SNP fell just one seat short of a majority in Holyrood in the election and are currently in talks with the Scottish Greens over an alliance on certain issues.

Mr Blackford said: “It should not be news that the Tories are finally waking up to the fact that the people of Scotland have expressed their democratic wishes in an election that they want their future to be put into their hands.

“The fundamental point Michael Gove missed is that the people of Scotland have spoken and expressed their settled will that they want to hold a referendum when they elected a majority of independence-supporting MSPs to the Scottish Parliament just over two months ago.

“If Boris Johnson continues to ignore the mandate given by the people of Scotland to hold a referendum then he will continue to tell the people of Scotland that their opinion does not matter. That will only push support for independence up.”

Mr Gove also rejected the chance of a third tilt at the leadership of the Conservatives, after failing in 2016 and 2019.

“Historically, people who have run to be prime minister in the Tory Party and don’t make it don’t subsequently make it,” he said.

Time to accept defeat

“I’ve had two goes and got bronze both times. I don’t think I’ll get the gold medal and I have to recognise that.

“I think Boris will be Prime Minister for a good while yet and there is a crop of younger people coming up who would be much better equipped than me.

“I won’t spoil their future by naming them but there comes a point where you have to recognise you’ve had your shot.”