Rachael Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP have expressed their anger at Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to hold another independence referendum by 2021.
The SNP’s political grandstanding comes ahead of their conference this weekend when the party will step up its campaign for a second vote on separating from the UK.
The First Minister’s drive to stage another independence referendum has been branded “absurd and divisive” by the Scottish Conservatives.
Scotland and the Scottish Borders voting overwhelming to reject independence in 2014, in what was claimed to be a ‘once in a generation’ vote.
Scottish Conservative politicians have repeatedly told Nicola Sturgeon to focus on the day job. Just this week it was widely reported that almost half of the Scottish Government’s major infrastructure projects have suffered delays and high school subject choice has diminished.
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP, John Lamont said: “The vast majority of people in the Borders oppose another divisive referendum on independence and the UK Government is absolutely right to side with this view.
“Most people are scunnered with the constant debate about our constitutional future and want to move on from both Brexit and Scottish independence.
“Instead of talking about leaving the UK, Borderers want Nicola Sturgeon to get on with the day job. She should be focusing on how to turn around struggling schools and hospitals, save our high streets, grow the economy, improve transport links or roll out better broadband. It is telling that the SNP are desperate to avoid talking about these things.
“Today’s statement is more about Nicola Sturgeon keeping her own party members happy and has nothing to do with standing up for Scotland.”
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton said: “Today’s statement on a second independence referendum is her sixth since becoming First Minister; it’s becoming tedious and repetitive.
“Sturgeon said education would be her top priority, yet we see the attainment gap persisting, a narrowing in school subject choice, and proportionally, fewer deprived children going to university than in England.
“We know she is obsessed with independence, and nothing else. It is taking its toll on our vital public services, with escalating NHS waiting times, missed cancer targets and dirty hospitals.
“We can either face years more of Nicola Sturgeon putting her obsession before everything else; or we can have a fresh government led by Ruth Davidson - which wants to get on now with making Scotland a better place for everyone”.
