Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid hits out at SNP announcing referendum plans during coronavirus pandemic
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MP David Duguid has said the Scottish National Party (SNP) are putting political obsession above helping businesses and the NHS through the pandemic after they revealed plans to hold an independence referendum next year.
The Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan said in Parliament that merely talking about proposals for a referendum during Covid has the effect of shaking investor confidence in the north-east and across Scotland.
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon said she still intends to hold an independence referendum by the end of 2023 and that she will decide on the date for introducing a bill in the coming weeks.
In response, Mr Duguid said people would be appalled that the SNP are focussing more on holding a referendum date rather than rebuilding public services and the economy.
He said: “Families, business and our public services are still recovering from the pandemic yet Nicola Sturgeon thinks this a good time to plan another referendum on separation.
“Waiting times in our NHS are at record highs while businesses across Banff and Buchan still haven’t received Covid support payments.
“It’s therefore appalling that the SNP Government are going to spend the ‘coming weeks’ finalising their independence timetable.
“They continue to put their political obsession ahead of our schools, health service and economy.
“It’s high time they start focussing more on the real priorities for Scotland to allow us to fully recover from the dreadful effects of the pandemic.”
