Boris sets sights on SNP: BBC claims No10 could call Sturgeon’s bluff with snap referendum
Boris Johnson could ‘call SNP’s bluff’ says insider
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
In a surprise move, Boris Johnson could be planning to call a snap Scottish independence referendum. The bombshell decision would mark a dramatic shift from the Prime Minister’s approach since he has repeatedly rejected calls for a referendum from Nicola Sturgeon. The BBC’s Rajdeep Sandhu told the Scottish Sunday Show that people inside No10 are mulling over whether to call a surprise referendum and put the SNP on the backfoot.
The Sunday Show host Martin Geissler pointed to the Scottish Herald’s front cover, whether it discusses whether Boris will announce IndyRef2.
Ms Sandhu explained: “This is a conversation that comes back around quite often.
“It does bubble away in Westminster as one of a long list of things that could be on the table.
“If there is a pro-independence majority of MSPs in Holyrood after this election, they will go and ask for that independence referendum.”
JUST IN: Galloway savages Sturgeon for ‘promising freebies funded by the UK’
She continued: “The question is always, what will Boris Johnson do? What will he say?
“Publicly they always say, ‘No, we don’t think there should be another referendum’.
“But there are questions about whether there are other tactics on the table.”
Mr Geissler said: “This would be Boris calling the SNP’s bluff, saying ‘Right, you want it, let’s go, let’s scrap it out’.”
Sophy Ridge confronts Nicola Sturgeon about SNP record
Ms Sandhu responded: “The argument is that he could pick the timing and therefore pick the timing most advantageous to his side of the debate.
“But of course, he has called himself the minister of the union. Would he really be wanting to take that gamble.
“It is a huge gamble and one I’m not sure he wants to take yet.”
Mr Geissler noted: “All sorts of conversations must be going on about the Union in Downing Street that we don’t hear.”
This comes as even some of Mr Johnson’s own cabinet members have called on him to issue an unexpected referendum to catch Ms Sturgeon and the SNP on the hop.
DON’T MISS:
Sinn Fein finally apologises for IRA murder of Prince Philip’s uncle [INTERVIEW]
Harry urged to stick around in UK until Queen’s birthday [VIDEO]
‘Pass title on but not to Harry or Andrew!’ Philip’s title to continue [POLL]
One minister claimed Mr Johnson cannot say no to a second vote for much longer.
They told The Sunday Times: “I don’t see how we keep saying ‘no’ forever.
“The time to do it would be in the middle of economic chaos, not when it’s all looking rosy.”
A second source said: “Boris has said a lot about honouring democratic votes after the EU referendum.
“If people vote for a referendum in Scotland, ultimately they’ll have to have one.”
Source: Read Full Article