An SNP rebellion against Nicola Sturgeon’s independence strategy has been bolstered by a senior MP calling for the door to be opened to Scotland leaving the UK without a referendum.
Joanna Cherry, QC, the SNP justice spokeswoman at Westminster, said that the party leadership should consider using next year’s Holyrood election as a proxy vote on separation. The idea, dubbed “plan B” by its supporters, is intended as an alternative to Ms Sturgeon’s insistence that the only route to independence is by a legal referendum.
It is widely assumed that the power to hold another vote lies with Westminster, although a legal challenge is under way to rule if Holyrood could arrange its own ballot. Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not grant a