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PM rules out indyref2 vote until after Brexit as she launches manifesto to woo Scots voters

Prime Minister Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May

Theresa May has pledged to reject a second independence referendum until after the UK has left the European Union.

The Conservative leader said she would not accept any request for a new vote until after Brexit negotiations had been completed and only if there is “public consent”.

Earlier this year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the UK Government to formally request a second plebiscite on the issue.

A majority of MSPs voted to back Ms Sturgeon’s referendum plans at Holyrood but Mrs May rejected the proposals outright, saying “now is not the time”.

Today’s Conservative manifesto, presented at an official launch in Halifax as a pitch to “mainstream Britain”, continues that trend by calling for a “strong and stable Union with no divisive Scottish referendum at this time”.

The document states: “We have been very clear that now is not the time for another referendum on independence.

“In order for a referendum to be fair, legal and decisive, it cannot take place until the Brexit process has played out and it should not take place unless there is public consent for it to happen.”

Under a section headed “Our precious Union,” the document reads: “The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union but some would disrupt our attempts to get the best deal for Scotland and the United Kingdom with calls for a divisive referendum that the people of Scotland do not want.

“We have been very clear that now is not the time for another referendum on independence. In order for a referendum to be fair, legal and decisive, it cannot take place until the Brexit process has played out and it should not take place unless there is public consent for it to happen. This is a time to pull together, not apart.”

The manifesto makes a number of key pledges to Scottish voters, including plans to create a world-leading decommissioning industry in the North Sea.

Another promise, this time to Scottish farmers, pledges the party to maintaining the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament in 2022.

The Tories will also commit to remote island wind development and a new Edinburgh Concert Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival.

A re-elected Conservative Government would also finance a new Borderlands Growth deal to boost prosperity in the south of Scotland and ensure at least one office of the new British Business Bank will be located in Scotland.

Angus Robertson, the SNP depute leader, said: “The Tory manifesto is a cruel and callous attack on families with deep austerity cuts that will hit pensioners, families, and our public services.

“Theresa May talked about ‘hard choices’ and these will affect pensioners, disabled people, the vulnerable, and those on middle and low incomes.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said millions of pensioners were being betrayed by the Tories’ manifesto.

“She is hitting older people with a classic Nasty Party triple whammy: scrapping the triple lock on pensions, removing the Winter Fuel Allowance and forcing those who need social care to pay for it with their homes,” he said.