About Advertise with us Get our newsletter
Facebook Twitter Instagram

News

Second indyref on the cards after "game-changing" Brexit poll, say West End MPs

MPs Carol Monaghan and Patrick Grady say second independence referendum is now looking more likely.

Two Glasgow SNP MPs who represent the West End have given their thoughts about the shock Brexit poll and what it means for Scotland.

Carol Monaghan represents Glasgow North West and Patrick Grady is the SNP"s Westminster member for Glasgow North.

Both spoke to Glasgow West End Today a day after the UK sent shockwaves around the world by voting to leave the European Union.

Watch: MPs Carol Monaghan and Patrick Grady react to the Brexit vote.

While the UK as a whole voted by 52 per cent to 48 to leave, Scotland overwhelming voted by 62 per cent to 38 per cent to stay.

The two Glasgow seats returned some of the strongest Remain votes in the country.

Patrick Grady, Glasgow North SNP MP, said: "It's a pretty shocking and surprising result. Here in Glasgow North, 78 per cent of my constituents voted to remain - one of the highest Remain votes in Scotland.

Disappointing: Patrick Grady says Europe is paying the price for Conservative infighting.

"I think it is disappointing that for essentially internal, ideologically debate within the Conservative Party, largely to decide who their next leader would be, such disruption has been foisted upon not just the United Kingdom but across the whole of European Union with repercussions, possibly, for decades to come."

Carol Monaghan, Glasgow North West SNP MP, said: "Definitely is a strong word but it was in our manifesto - if there is a material change in circumstances then we would bring forward a second referendum.

"This is a material change, so I don't think anybody in Scotland would be surprised that there is now talk of a second referendum.

"If we get a second referendum, I think that people are really keen to see it played on a European basis.

"Scotland has shown throughout this that we are outward looking - we are not inward looking that was played out in the right-wing Press in the first referendum.

Outward: MP Carol Monaghan says the Brexit vote has blown away any claim that Scotland is inward looking.

"We can fight that one very easily now - we are on outward looking country. It is a total game-changer for us now."

Carol added: "We want to make sure that we are not taken out of Europe. So if we can have a referendum before the Brexit actually happens and we can special processes in place to allow Scotland to continue its membership in Europe, then that would be fabulous.

"That's really what we are after - we want to play our part in Europe."

Patrick said: "Scotland has voted to remain a part of the European Union and we have to explore what the different options are to ensure that that result is respected.

"And if that means that we have to go to the people of Scotland in a second referendum then that is definitely on the table."

Patrick added: "I think the First Minister has been very clear that we have to build consensus - we have to be decisive but we also have to be quite deliberate, so there is no question of rushing things.

"Just this afternoon (Saturday) she has announced that there will be a cross-party, cross sectoral panel to analyse this unprecedented constitutional situation that we find ourselves in.

"And that will chart a way forward that hopefully takes the whole of Scotland with us to arrive at a consensus position."

Share this story
Glasgow West End Today Loading