The SNP should not allow Scottish politics to be “distracted” by another independence referendum after its election victory, the Liberal Democrats have said.
UK Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey made the comments after the election result means the Scottish Parliament now has its highest-ever number of MSPs who support independence, with 73 MSPs from the SNP and Scottish Greens returned.
While visiting Newhaven, Edinburgh, on Saturday Mr Davey said that despite the pro-independence numbers rising in Scotland, the SNP would have “no mandate” for another referendum.
He said: “(John Swinney) said if the SNP got a majority that would give him a mandate.
“They didn’t, they went backwards in vote share numbers of MSPs elected to the SNP.
“So, they’ve actually got no mandate for doing that and I really hope they won’t allow Scottish politics to be distracted by that.
“Yet again, there’s so many serious issues. People are really struggling and can’t get GP appointments, they can’t afford the food on the table, they can’t afford their energy bills.
“Surely a responsible government will ensure this new parliament focuses on things like matter to families and pensioners and businesses across Scotland.”
Mr Davey said the Lib Dems would oppose a referendum if it was granted by the Prime Minister as Sir Keir Starmer faces increasing pressure as he tries to remain in Downing Street, in the wake of poor election results for Labour across the UK.
He said: “We will oppose that in the House of Commons, we will oppose that in Holyrood.
“I think Mr Starmer needs to focus more on what he’s done wrong. Labour promised change less than two years ago when they won a majority at the general election, and they failed to do that.”
He continued: “I just hope that Keir Starmer focuses on the day job if he survives.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrats saw their number of seats increase to 10 after the election.
They have picked up new constituencies, winning in Edinburgh Northern and Strathkelvin and Bearsden, where they took the seats from the SNP.
Mr Davey said he believed the party had got its “mojo back”.
He said: “I’m really pleased. We’ve got a momentum now here in Scotland, I think we’ve got our mojo back, and I think people will see many, many more Liberal Democrats getting elected across Scotland.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the party was “a strong force again”.
He said: “This is a 10 out of 10 election for me, as far as I’m concerned. I’m double digits and… I’ve been saying to people for two years, we can get double digits and I was laughed at, and look here we are.
“We’re a strong force again and we’re going to make it count, and we’re going to make a difference in this parliament. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and get things done.”
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