Nicola Sturgeon backs away from 2021 independence referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has backed away from her threat to hold a new independence referendum this year as a new poll showed support for leaving the UK had fallen to its lowest level in 18 months.

The First Minister launched a blueprint on Thursday setting out key actions her government will take in the first 100 days of the new Holyrood term, if she wins re-election. It includes no mention of seeking negotiations about a new vote on leaving the UK.

Senior SNP figures have repeatedly claimed that a new referendum could be held as early as this year if the party wins next week's election. Ms Sturgeon had previously refused to rule out a snap vote in late 2021.

However, the omission of any early independence drive in the document was seen as a sign that she would not immediately seek to organise a new referendum, and instead stick to the 2023 deadline in her manifesto.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, claimed Ms Sturgeon knew her referendum push was unpopular so she was "pretending" she would not demand one straight away.

Watch: Natwest boss says bank would move HQ to London if Scotland votes for independence

A new Savanta Comres survey found that support for independence had slid to 42 per cent, the lowest level since the last UK general election in 2019, with support for the union at 49 per cent.

“They’re claiming to be pausing independence for three months and expecting us to be grateful but they’re not being honest with voters,” Mr Ross said. “Everyone has seen this act before.

“All the evidence from past elections confirms that the SNP are deceiving voters and they’ll ramp up their calls for another referendum the first chance they get.”

Experts had already raised significant doubts about whether there would be time to hold a referendum this year, even with UK Government cooperation, despite key Sturgeon lieutenants such as Ian Blackford and Mike Russell encouraging activists to think a 2021 vote was possible.

A delay of more than three months between the election and entering talks over a referendum effectively rules out any chance of it taking place this year, while the UK Government has said it would not grant powers anyway.

The SNP move will also be seen as an attempt to fend off attacks from unionist parties who believe voters are increasingly sympathetic to their argument that the recovery from the pandemic, rather than the constitution, should be the priority for the next Scottish Government.

Among the SNP pledges within 100 days of the next term are:

• to vaccinate all adults against Covid-19

• ease restrictions substantially by July

• implement a four per cent pay rise for NHS staff

• provide extra support to taxi drivers

• and invest millions to support local businesses and tourism.

The document states that “with the full powers of an independent country we could do so much more” but emphasises that a referendum would take place “when the Covid crisis has passed”.

Alistair Carmichael, the LibDem MP said the document showed the SNP would only delay their independence plans until Aug 14 and contained a series of rehashed policies that had previously been announced.

Ms Sturgeon also came under attack from Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, which said it showed a lack of commitment to independence.

“If the people of Scotland deliver yet another mandate to progress the case for Scotland’s independence we can’t afford to let Boris Johnson go on holiday for 100 days, hiding from, dodging and belittling the democratic will of the people of Scotland,” Eva Comrie, an Alba candidate, said.

“Alba are the only party stressing the immediate necessity of independence in this election. “To recover from the coronavirus, we need all of the economic powers of independence now, without delay.”

Watch: Why life has been ‘extremely challenging’ on the Scottish islands with just 70 COVID cases