Fallon blunders with claim that Tories would block second Scottish IndyRef

Last Updated: February 2, 2017By

Michael Fallon has risked creating resentment in Scotland with remarks about a possible independence referendum [Image: Hayoung Jeon/EPA].

This Site’s position on a second Scottish independence referendum has been clear since the EU vote.

As Scotland voted to stay in the European Union and is being dragged out of it with the rest of the UK, I cannot blame the SNP for considering another referendum on independence. Nor should Michael Fallon.

Yes, the EU referendum was a poll of everybody in the United Kingdom, and should be respected as such.

But when a whole constituent country of the UK differs from the majority vote, it seems wise to act carefully – especially as Scotland does have the wherewithal to vote itself independent.

Unfortunately Mr Fallon, like many of his Tory colleagues, seems incapable of such diplomacy. If Scotland were to leave the union it would be because of idiots like him.

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, has provoked a row over a second Scottish independence referendum by suggesting it would be blocked by the UK government.

“No, forget it,” he said, reflecting opposition from cabinet ministers who believe Nicola Sturgeon is bluffing about holding a snap referendum before the UK leaves the EU, since she does not have majority support for doing so among Scottish voters.

He softened his stance on Good Morning Scotland, instead urging Sturgeon’s government to “forget all that stuff and get on with the day job” it was elected for. “We didn’t see the need for a second referendum,” he said.

Fallon’s comments risk fuelling nationalist resentment about the Tories’ small mandate in Scotland, where it has one MP out of 59. Earlier this week, Sturgeon suggested she could decide to call a snap referendum as early as next month, before the UK government formally triggers article 50 by the end of March.

Source: Michael Fallon: British government could block a Scottish referendum | UK news | The Guardian

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2 Comments

  1. NMac February 2, 2017 at 12:18 pm - Reply

    Fallon is a prime example of what the old school tie and plenty of money, but very little brainpower, can get you. In his case it is wise to judge by appearances, he is a drip and almost every time he opens his mouth he says something stupid.

  2. Barry Davies February 2, 2017 at 4:11 pm - Reply

    As I understand it Scotland does not have the right to call a referendum without permission form Westminster. Westminster funded the last referendum not Scotland. Should Scotland declare a unilateral independence from the UK, then they would lose their M.P.’s in Westminster and would not be able to gain any subsidies either. An independent Scotland would be independent of the eu and would have to apply to join, not rejoin as Scotland the Nation has never been a member in its own right. This has been clarified by the eu commission and president, although they are of course unelected. The EU has several nations as members where there are areas of that nation, previously independent nations who are wanting independence as well, as such the eu would not want to encourage them by allowing Scotland to jump the queue to become a member. Fallon may be a bit brusque about the situation but he is indeed correct.

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