David Cameron rules out new independence referendum
ByPress Association
David Cameron reads a book to Lucy Howarth, 6, and Joshua Davies, 5, during a visit to Sacred Heart RC primary school in Westhoughton near Bolton.
David Cameron has come out firmly against a fresh referendum on Scottish independence after next year’s Holyrood elections.
The Prime Minister said that he believed that the issue had been settled “possibly for a lifetime” by last year’s referendum vote in favour of remaining part of the United Kingdom.
Appearing on the Scottish TV leaders debate last night, the First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon refused to rule out a second referendum following the 2016 elections to the Scottish parliament.
But in an interview with the UK Parliament’s The House magazine, Mr Cameron said that as far as he was concerned, the matter had been dealt with.
“I believe it’s settled. I quote (ex-SNP leader) Alex Salmond – settled for a generation, possibly for a lifetime, is what he said. And I’m sticking with that,” he said.
“I think there was a very big debate in Scotland, a very big moment, a very big turnout. But it was pretty decisive, a ten point margin is pretty decisive.”
Pressed on whether he would feel bound to accept a referendum if Ms Sturgeon included a commitment to hold one in her Holyrood manifesto and the SNP won, he replied: “That issue is settled.”
David Cameron rules out new independence referendum
