Labour and Tories tell Nicola Sturgeon to ditch independence referendum plan
2 min read
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to ditch her plans for a second independence referendum in the wake of last week's election result.
Both Labour and the Conservatives said so-called "indyref 2" should be taken "off the table" after the SNP lost 21 seats.
SNP leader Ms Sturgeon - who two months ago said a second referendum must take place by spring 2019 - has said she will take some time to analyse the result before deciding what to do next.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "The most important thing for Scotland that they're going to do is represent the views of people in Scotland, who oppose independence. What we've been saying for a long time is the SNP is not Scotland, it did not represent the views of all of Scotland.
"Last week's general election result in Scotland was a clear verdict from the people of Scotland - they don't want another independence referendum.
"The only person who still doesn't seem to be listening to that and is in denial is Nicola Sturgeon. The loss of 21 SNP MPs is a very, very clear message - indyref2 is off the table, and my colleagues and I are going to be concentrating on the issues that really matter to our constituents and the people of Scotland."
Mr Mundell was speaking as he welcomed the 12 new Scottish Tory MPs to Westminster.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray also called on Ms Sturgeon to think again.
He said: "In Scotland the debate has been very much about saying no to a second independence referendum, let's hope the final nail is in that particular coffin for the sake of the Scottish economy and for the sake of the Scottish people.
"The voters have weighed up (Nicola Sturgeon's) options for her. She should take a second independence referendum off the table and get parliament back talking about public services and the Scottish economy, and what we have to do about Brexit. That's my message to Nicola Sturgeon, and for her to prevaricate for even one second shows she's not listening to the voters."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed Mr Murray and the six new Scottish Labour MPs to the Commons earlier today.
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