The SNP’s “total and exclusive” focus over the coming years should be on gaining Scottish independence, a Tayside MP has said.
The comments by Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart provoked the Labour Party to accuse the nationalists of ignoring the immediate concerns of the Scottish public.
Setting out his strategy for winning the forthcoming independence referendum in nationalist newspaper Scots Independent, Mr Wishart said, “It’s now three months since our historic victory in May and our total and exclusive focus must be now on winning the referendum.
“Our victory in May was substantially down to the perception that the SNP was trusted to govern effectively and offered effective leadership for Scotland.
“But, it also indicates that the public does not fear a debate about our national future and are prepared to back a party that has independence as its core ideal.”
The SNP’s majority means a referendum on independence is guaranteed in this parliamentary term, with many believing Alex Salmond could leave it as late as 2015.
That has caused fears in unionist ranks that Scottish Government strategy over the next four years will be to bolster the case for independence.’Instability’ callOn Monday Labour’s finance spokesman at Holyrood, Richard Simpson, said Mr Wishart’s comments were proof the nationalists are pursuing independence at any cost.
“Pete Wishart’s comments prove conclusively, if proof were needed, that the SNP’s sole reason for existence is to break up Britain,” said the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP.
“At a time when the global economic situation is causing real concern, when people are concerned about their jobs and futures he is calling on SNP supporters to focus on a referendum that the majority of Scots don’t want and doesn’t have a date or a question.
“And the truth is that the referendum itself will cause instability that will damage the Scottish economy.”
Mr Wishart said to be successful the SNP must convince the “30 or 40%” of the public who have doubts about independence but could be convinced.
He said, “Having won the right to a referendum, our task is now to put in place an attractive, aspirational but realistic vision of what an independent Scotland would look like.
“We must reassure them that the social union will be maintained. We must convince them that the many British cultural ties, that so many Scots enjoy, will be maintained.”
He added, “That what we want to see is a new and improved relationship based on equality and mutual respect.”