Podcasts Government HARDtalk Ian Blackford: Does the SNP have a winning strategy?

Ian Blackford: Does the SNP have a winning strategy?

Published: Feb. 7, 2020, 4:06 a.m.

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Ian Blackford is the Scottish Nationalist MP for a vast tract of north-west Scotland, and the leader of the SNP\\u2019s 48-strong band of Westminster MPs. He is a prominent champion of the cause of Scottish independence, a cause which represents one of the biggest challenges facing prime minister Boris Johnson over the next five years. Back in 2014, Scotland voted by 55% to 45% to remain in the UK. At the time, it was billed as a \\u2018once in a lifetime\\u2019 decision. But since then, Britain has left the EU \\u2013 against the wishes of a clear majority in Scotland \\u2013 and the SNP now argues that this material change in circumstances gives Scots the right to another vote on independence. The SNP's grip on power in Scotland is currently unassailable, so a protracted political stand off between Edinburgh and London seems inevitable. The nationalists have plenty of passion, but do they have a winning strategy?

(Photo: SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during Prime Ministers Questions 2019. Credit: PA)

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