Now the SNP wants TWO referendums for independence drive

Now the SNP wants TWO referendums – the first to split up the UK and another that could abolish the monarchy – as Humza Yousaf pushes on with independence drive despite waning support from Scots

The SNP today demanded two referendums as Humza Yousaf continues his independence drive despite waning support from Scots.

The separatists have published a fresh taxpayer-funded paper on how they would split the UK.

The document published by Mr Yousaf – a self-declared republican – insisted that a constitutional convention would ‘consider other models for the Head of State of an independent country’. 

The new written constitution would then be subject to a national vote.

Mr Yousaf was criticised for his ‘obsession’ with breaking up Britain as the latest paper making the case for independence was released.

It comes amid signs that the SNP’s support is being undermined by the chaos over its finances, and issues such as gender identity rights. Backing for independence has also been running consistently below 50 per cent.

The document published by Humza Yousaf – a self-declared republican – insisted that a constitutional convention would ‘consider other models for the Head of State of an independent country’

Mr Yousaf has previously suggested that Scotland would consider within five years whether it should keep the monarchy (pictured, the King and Queen at Trooping the Colour yesterday)

The First Minister claimed a written constitution would ’embody a set of longer-term, more fundamental values about what a country is for’ and set out a ‘common understanding of a nation’s priorities’.

He said: ‘By helping enhance and protect important rights, it will make a genuine and significant difference to people’s lives.’ 

Mr Yousaf said the lack of a written constitution made the UK a ‘global outlier’, and  delivered a dire warning that Westminster could abolish the Scottish Parliament, which has been in place since 1999.

A vote for independence would see the Scottish Parliament develop an interim constitution, which would then come into force when Scotland leaves the UK.

After independence, a constitutional convention would be established to develop a permanent constitution, with this to be considered by Holyrood and also put to the people in a referendum.

Mr Yousaf said such a document could ‘protect the right to take industrial action’ for workers and could also set out ‘provisions on the right to adequate housing, the right of communities to own land, or our right as citizens to access healthcare which is free at the point of need’.

He went on to state: ‘In the Scottish Government’s view, it should also include provisions stating very clearly and explicitly that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons’.

Mr Yousaf has previously suggested that Scotland would consider within five years whether it should keep the monarchy. 

But Scottish Conservative spokesman Donald Cameron slammed Mr Yousaf’s ‘self-indulgence’ and said he was using Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘old independence playbook’.

‘The SNP are so obsessed with their push for independence that they are now pressing for not just one divisive referendum but two to take place if they ever get their way,’ he said.

Mr Yousaf faced jibes he was following the Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) independence playbook  

‘He knows that the obsession with breaking up the United Kingdom is the only issue that can keep the warring factions in his party together.

‘Humza Yousaf has a total brass neck saying the cost-of-living is the number one issue for him, when he is happy to spend taxpayers’ money publishing yet another paper in relation to independence and trying to waste parliamentary time on it next week.

‘The paper itself is full of holes and talks up completely misguided plans to ban nuclear weapons in an independent Scotland.

‘Using public money to campaign for independence is completely the wrong priority for Scotland. People want the SNP-Green government to be focused on their real priorities right now such as rising bills, fixing our NHS and strengthening our economy.’

A Savanta poll for The Scotsman last week showed the SNP’s support dipping again. 

On Westminster voting intention it was down a point since the end of March to 38 per cent, just four ahead of Labour.

In a poll by the same company last June, the SNP boasted 46 per cent support compared to 25 per cent for Labour. 

Meanwhile, Ms Sturgeon’s dramatic fall from grace was confirmed as the survey showed her personal ratings turning negative for the first time.

The former First Minister was arrested and questioned for seven hours last weekend by police probing the SNP’s finances, before being released without charge pending further inquiries.

She has flatly denied any wrongdoing. But the plunge in her popularity was underlined as research by Savanta – conducted partly after the arrest – found her net rating standing at minus seven.

That compares to a figure of plus 28 in December 2020, before the furore over the party’s accounts and a backlash over her loose gender identity rules.

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