A former MSP has revealed how senior Labour and SNP figures plotted a joint declaration on an independence referendum ahead of the last Holyrood election. Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay revealed the plot in his new book. Mr Findlay adds that Nicola Sturgeon and Richard Leonard, who were party leaders at the time, were not aware of the discussions, which ended after Anas Sarwar became Scottish Labour leader. Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader Meghan Gallacher said: "These revelations reaffirm why pro-UK voters were right to vote for the Scottish Conservatives in record numbers at the 2021 Holyrood election. As a stop gap, he said the SNP and Labour left wingers agreed to oppose austerity and promote a "pro-working class" agenda.

Source: Express May 26, 2023 16:25 UTC