Nicola Sturgeon faces uphill struggle for fresh referendum - Scotland's 2021 election inconclusive

Boris Johnson exclusive interview: No new Scottish independence referendum, says PM https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/... Prime Minister tells The Telegraph that vote would be ‘irresponsible’ as Nicola Sturgeon sets up new political battle with Holyrood win By Ben Riley-Smith, 7 May 2021 • 9:58pm Boris Johnson has made clear he would reject calls for a second Scottish independence referendum if Nicola Sturgeon secured an SNP majority at Holyrood. In an interview with The Telegraph, the Prime Minister said: “I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless.” The comments set up a political battle over the future of the UK that will loom large for the rest of the year. Ms Sturgeon, the SNP leader, who is set to be returned as Scottish First Minister in the Holyrood elections, said on Friday that she was prepared to push for a second referendum “when the time is right”. It followed Labour suffering a historic by-election defeat in Hartlepool, with a Tory MP elected in the town for the first time since 1964. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, admitted his party had “lost the trust of the working people” and said the defeat of a traditionally solid Labour seat was “bitterly disappointing”. Khalid Mahmood quit as Labour’s shadow defence minister, accusing the party of having ceded to a “London-based bourgeoisie” and “brigades of woke social media warriors”. The political backlash showed little sign of slowing on Friday night, with criticism from both Labour moderates and the Left leading to speculation that a shadow cabinet reshuffle may be imminent. In a swipe at his successor, Jeremy Corbyn, who remains suspended from the party, accused Sir Keir of “offering nothing” to voters. The full results from “Super Thursday”, a day of elections for councils, mayors, police commissioners, the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and one MP, are still emerging. But signs on Friday night suggested a strong showing in England for the Conservatives, with the Tories making a net gain of seven local authorities and 155 council seats, while Labour was down 142 seats with a net loss of four authorities. Results were reported from 64 out of 143 councils. Results: English Councils In Hartlepool, Jill Mortimer, the Tory candidate, won the seat by 15,529 votes to Labour’s 8,589, a majority of almost 7,000 votes which eclipsed the expectations of insiders in both parties. The seat had been held by Labour since its creation in February 1974. Ms Sturgeon was last night heading for a strong performance in the Holyrood election – although doubts remained over whether she would secure a majority – with the Scottish Tories losing two of the seven constituencies they won in the 2016 election. The SNP had won 38 out of 46 constituency seats declared last night. The First Minister had argued that an SNP majority would give the party a mandate for a second independence referendum. The party won a majority in 2011, leading to the 2014 independence referendum. However, asked during a visit to Hartlepool on Friday if a Nationalist majority meant there was a mandate for another vote, Mr Johnson told The Telegraph: “I think that count is still taking place and we’ll have to see what happens. I listened to the Scottish election carefully. “My impression was that they [the SNP] moved away from the idea of a referendum, and I think very wisely. “Because I don’t think this is anything like the time to have more constitutional wrangling, to be talking about ripping our country apart, when actually people want to heal our economy and bounce forward together. That’s what people want.” Asked about claims he had privately said he would never agree to a second referendum, Mr Johnson said: “I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless. Let me leave it at that.” Pushed on what he would do if Ms Sturgeon attempted to hold a referendum unilaterally, without permission from Westminster, Mr Johnson said: “Well, as I say, I think that there’s no case now for such a thing … I don’t think it’s what the times call for at all.” Ms Sturgeon, who was re-elected as an MSP representing Glasgow, indicated she would pursue a second referendum if she achieved a majority. Ms Sturgeon said: “If that is indeed the outcome of this election, I pledge today to get back to work immediately to continue to steer the country through the crisis of Covid, to continue to lead this country into recovery from Covid. “And then, when the time is right, to offer this country the choice of a better future.”