John Major warned Boris Johnson about “Scottish independence” until he engages voters in the Union’s crisis to reject it.
The SNP will be strengthened if London simply refuses to allow a second vote without major changes to the decentralization rules – and if the Scots are told they ‘have to wait for the second generation’.
The former Tory PM wrote, “Scotland cannot be put in an arrangement forever if its people want to end it.”
“Boris Johnson probably has the legal right to refuse a second independence referendum. But he should be careful with the way he uses this power.
“It is not wise to dismiss Scottish ambitions, or delay any vote without taking action to uncover the reality of secession – and plugging in the UK’s decentralization rules.”
Read more:
He said, “If a second generation should wait before voting once again, it will be a big mistake if there is a cruel refusal with a provocative claim.” Such an uncontrolled approach is more likely to cause a breakup, preventing it. “
Mr Johnson’s stigma of so-called ‘Indyref2’ as a warning is ‘completely irrelevant’ – when he suggested a 40-year gap between the referendum.
This comes as the SNP is poised for victory in the May election in the Holy Hour, although the controversy over Alex Salmond’s harassment allegations undermines Nicola Sturgeon.
In a bitter civil war, the former prime minister formed his own party to win a “super majority” for independence – but at the risk of depriving him of getting his old party on his own.
In the article for financial TimesSir John telephoned Gordon Brown to order an “independent assessment of the different pros and cons” of the UK government.
The former Tory leader said, “If both governments do not conduct such studies, then their parliaments – and academics as well”.
“At the same time, the United Kingdom must deal with any constitutional amendments required by changes in circumstances, friction in deconentration agreements or the effect of Brexit.”
Sir John has described Scotland as a “nation fully capable of self-governance” – but argues that most Scots can be convinced to reject freedom “with fact and reason”.
“The economic costs of secession on Scotland will be difficult. There is no longer a shortage of oil to revive the economy. The budget deficit is more than 7 percent of economic output, ”the article states.
“More than 60% of Scottish trade goes to the rest of the UK, three times its trade with the European Union. Does Scotland really want a trade border with England?
“‘Barnett Formula’ increases Scottish public spending by around £ 2,000 per person per year from Westminster. Can Scottish taxpayers make it in the event of a loss? This project is not a fierce. It is the reality.”
Coffee enthusiast. Travel scholar. Infuriatingly humble zombie fanatic. Thinker. Professional twitter evangelist.
