The SNP are avoiding talk of independence “like the plague” during a crunch by-election campaign in a unionist stronghold, it was claimed last night.
Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael accused the nationalists of trying to distance themselves from their key policy in a bid to win in Shetland.
Tom Wills, the SNP candidate for the seat, which is vacant after former Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott quit, has issued leaflets and campaign videos that don’t mention independence.
Wills has instead focused on the SNP’s opposition to Brexit and their record in government at Holyrood.
The No vote in Shetland in 2014 was 64 per cent –one of the highest in the country.
Carmichael said: “The SNP campaign in Shetland are trying desperately to detach themselves from the divisive nationalist ideology that underpins everything they do.
“But everyone knows they will always put independence before every other issue.”
Wills said: “It’s this kind of attitude that’s holding Shetland back from resolving important local issues.
“Our support for Independence is hardly a secret but look at the SNP’s record in government – we’ve been working hard to build a fairer society while mitigating the worst of the welfare cuts imposed by the Tories and Lib Dems at Westminster.”
