Ian Blackford: 'One way or the other, independence referendum will happen'

Ian Blackford has insisted that an independence referendum will happen “one way or the other”.

The SNP’s Westminster leader also said he is confident that Scotland will vote to become an independent country.

Blackford was speaking at an Edinburgh Festival Fringe event on Thursday.

The Scottish Government has stated its intention to hold a referendum on independence in October next year.

Next month, the Supreme Court will hear the Government’s referral of its referendum legislation.

The UK Government has challenged the referral, arguing that it is not in the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to hold such a vote.

Blackford, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said that it is “not a good look” for any prime minister to keep denying moves to hold another referendum on the issue.

“There’s an independence majority (at Holyrood), and Westminster should recognise that it’s the right of those who live in Scotland to have that debate,” he said.

“It’s not a good look for any prime minister in Westminster to keep saying, ‘No, you can’t’.

“That is a denial of democracy so, of course, on the basis of that, we’re having to go to the Supreme Court, let’s see what happens.

“I hope that there is an opinion in our favour, and then we can get on and have that debate.”

Blackford indicated that he believes Scotland will vote in favour of becoming an independent country in a future vote.

He said: “The debate we want to have is what is the future for Scotland, it goes back to the point I made earlier, of having that debate with other parties.

“But one way or the other, that referendum will happen.

“And I’m pretty confident that not only will that debate happen but that Scotland will vote to become an independent country.”

During the Fringe event, Blackford also said that he listens to music before he goes to the Chamber ahead of Prime Minister’s Questiosn.

Asked what music he listens to, he said, “things like Meat Loaf”.