DOUGLAS Alexander has refused to set out how Scotland could democratically achieve independence despite being repeatedly pushed on the issue.
The Scottish Labour MP, and former Scottish secretary, has previously claimed that Scotland had “moved on” from independence.
On the BBC’s Sunday Show, Alexander was asked on three occasions to set out the route Scotland could take to independence, but he refused to answer.
The trade minister joined the programme remotely, speaking from a BBC studio in London.
Alexander was involved in the Better Together campaign during the 2014 referendum, and insisted that staying in the United Kingdom was the correct choice.
Journalist Martin Geissler put to the Unionist MP: “If this is a voluntary union, as everybody always seems to agree, nobody denies it is, what is the democratic route out of this union for Scotland, if they decide that that's what they want to do.”
Alexander replied: “Well, the truth is, it's a matter of record that John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, leading the Scottish National Party, is recorded as not even raising the issue of independence frequently when he talks to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer…”
Earlier this month, the Prime Minister told the BBC that during meetings with the First Minister independence had not been raised as a “first priority”.
Keir Starmer then ruled out a second Scottish independence referendum.
Geissler pressed Alexander again on the question: “What’s the democratic route out of the Union for Scotland, should that be the wish of the Scottish people?”
“Ultimately, we had our referendum, Martin, we had…we had a referendum back in 2014 and the people of Scotland, in our wisdom, chose by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to stay within the United Kingdom,” Alexander said.
“I believe everything we are witnessing in terms of quite how challenging the international environment is, the international security environment in the Euro Atlantic area, never mind the situation in the Middle East, the economic challenges that the world is facing only strengthens the case.”
Geissler continued: “There is another argument we’d be better off out and I’m asking you how you achieve that?”
Alexander replied: “It is for others to make their case for separation. I strongly believe we are stronger together and we would be weaker apart.”
In response, SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: “Westminster’s repeated refusal to even consider a referendum on independence cannot go on forever.
"Independence is essential to tackle the cost of living crisis, improve the economy and deliver more funding for our NHS.
“Support for independence is rising in Scotland, while support for Labour is collapsing. In the election next year people in Scotland will have the chance to deliver their verdict on Labour’s contempt for Scotland’s right to choose.”
We told how Starmer claimed there was a need for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom in order to remain safe as he released his defence review.
The latest polling, from June 1, had support for Scottish independence at 54 per cent but would rise even further if Reform UK’s leader, Nigel Farage, were to become the next prime minister.
If Farage came to power in Westminster, backing for Yes would be at 58 per cent.
It comes as Swinney has come under pressure to set out a strategy for Scottish independence, following the SNP’s shock loss to Scottish Labour in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
Swinney and other senior SNP figures have ruled out an independence convention with other Yes parties as part of a route forward.
However, the FM will host a session with SNP members at the upcoming National Council meeting focussing on how best to frame independence in the party's Holyrood 2026 campaign.
