David Cameron today warned the SNP not to “permanently dangle” the prospect of a second independence referendum.
But the prime minister stopped short of saying he would try to veto another bid in the future.
The Nationalists argued it would be “counterproductive” for any Tory premier to try to stand in the way of a second poll – as the people of Scotland would have the “ultimate say”.
They also insisted any attempt to block another referendum would prompt a surge in support for independence.
Speaking to the Press and Journal at Downing Street, Mr Cameron hailed his party’s second place at last week’s Holyrood elections.
He added: “I think what’s clear is that the only pro-UK alternative to the SNP is now the Conservative Party.”
The prime minister retains the power to veto any proposal for a second independence referendum.
He did not confirm he would be willing to do so, when asked, although he did not rule it out either.
He said: “You have to read the SNP manifesto very carefully to find the bit that left an opening for the second referendum. It was in a footnote.
“People in Scotland don’t want a second referendum. They want the SNP to get on with the job of running what is now a powerhouse parliament.
“It’s worth reflecting that the referendum was only one-and-a-half years ago. There was a very clear and emphatic result.”
The Tory leader said he did not think a second poll was “remotely in prospect”.
He added: “I think actually the SNP and others in Scotland are making a mistake if they think it’s good for Scotland to permanently dangle the prospect of another referendum.
“It actually creates uncertainty, it’s bad for the economy, it’s bad for jobs and it’s bad for stability.”
An SNP spokesman said: “David Cameron knows that it is the people of Scotland who will have the ultimate say on the country’s future, and that it would be counterproductive for any Tory prime minister to try and stand in the way of a second independence referendum if that’s what people wanted.
“That’s why he agreed to the 2014 referendum – and why he has now so pointedly failed to suggest he would try and veto any future one.
“To do anything else would only be likely to see support for a referendum, and for independence itself, soar.”
On the election result, he added: “The reality is that the SNP went up from our 2011 Holyrood landslide, while the Tory vote is still languishing at just over 20%.”
