Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

David Mundell Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

No, I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman on his last point.

[David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)]

My constituents will not be celebrating this outcome, but they will be deeply relieved that, with all the other issues that they face, they are not going to be facing a hugely divisive independence referendum next October. In my constituency, people cannot access an NHS dentist. They cannot access a GP. They can hardly get an ambulance to come out, and our local hospital was overwhelmed two weeks ago. On that basis, does my right hon. Friend agree that this is the time to move on and focus on the issues that really matter to our constituents in Scotland?>

[Mr Jack]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right and I know he has put in a lot of work on this subject in the past. The Scottish Government must focus on the people’s priorities. Public services in Scotland are falling behind and failing in many areas and it is important that we now stop the constitutional wrangling and focus on the people’s priorities. That is what they want us to do.