Humza Yousaf has refused to put a timetable on a second referendum (Image: ITV)
Humza Yousaf has said there is no prospect of another referendum on Scottish independence unless the opinion polls show “consistent majority support” in what one expert described as a “significant admission”.
Scotland’s First Minister was grilled by Peter McMahon, ITV Border's Political Editor, after delivering a keynote speech in which he branded the UK “the poor man of north-west Europe" while pledging "large scale" investment in competitive industries after independence.
Mr Humza’s speech notably did not set a timetable for a so-called IndyRef2, and would not be drawn on the subject with Mr McMahon either.
The journalist said: “Currently there's no prospect of an independence referendum.”
Powered By
00:00/00:36
10
10
Mel B doubles down on James Corden criticism
Share
Next
Stay
Mr Yousaf replied: “I disagree, I absolutely disagree. Because we are sitting at around-about 50 percent.
READ MORE: Huge fishing boom heralded on coast of Britain in ‘brilliant Brexit bonus’
Significant moment from last night’s @ITVBorderRB interview. Humza Yousaf tells @petermacmahon that another referendum won’t happen without consistent majority support in opinion polls. Full programme is here: https://t.co/X2rMQa2RpP pic.twitter.com/SKpMWH7znc
— Sam Taylor (@staylorish) January 10, 2024
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
“We have to make sure that we have consistent support, a consistent majority for independence, and then of course create the political conditions for that referendum.”
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Sam Taylor of pro-Union campaign group These Islands said: “Significant moment from last night’s @ITVBorderRB interview.
“Humza Yousaf tells @petermacmahon that another referendum won’t happen without consistent majority support in opinion polls.”
Speaking on Monday, Mr Yousaf said his speech was the first in a series he would deliver on the Scottish economy.
Humza Yousaf delivers his speech on Monday (Image: Getty)
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
He said: "The working assumption is that there will be an absence of substantial policy debate at Westminster.
"And that may be a reason why the rhetoric in this election year is likely to be particularly fierce as Labour and the Tories throw ever more ugly insults at each other."
He said he would strive towards a "deliberative process" in trying to persuade people on the merits of Scottish independence and those who believe otherwise should not be "dismissed".
The SNP leader referred to a report from the Resolution Foundation looking at income inequality in the UK compared with other countries.
Don't miss...
SNP proposes 'seven years in jail' for parents who refuse kids' gender change [INSIGHT]
David Cameron sparks laughter from MPs after blunt one-word swipe from SNP [ANALYSIS]
Andrew Neil rips into Humza Yousaf for 'most absurd speech' [VIDEO]
Scottish independence referendum 2014 results factfile (Image: Express)
He claimed the average household would be ￡8,300 better off if the UK had the average income inequality of similar countries.
Using the same analysis for Scotland, Mr Yousaf said: "The prize for the typical Scottish household would be even greater, they would be ￡10,200 better off.
"That then, is the huge prize of independence."
He pledged that an independent Scotland would see "large-scale public investment in key areas of competitive advantage", as well as a Government department focused on industrial policy.
The First Minister claimed the UK's living standards are "abnormally low" and the country is the "poor man of north-west Europe".
A pro-independence rally in 2014 (Image: GETTY)
Trending
Questioned after his speech, he acknowledged the economic changes in an independent Scotland would not happen overnight.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Don't be scared... now is the time to back Reform UK to save Britain, says Howard Cox
44 Comments
Desperate Brussels plots power-grab as bloc could slap EU citizens with shameless tax rise
481 Comments
European country warned against joining 'unflattering' Eurozone as future hangs in balance
18 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
18 Comments
Bosses see the light, let's hope politicians don't mess this up, says Tim Newark
13 Comments
Top EU heavyweight plans major shake up to single market as weaker countries struggle
22 Comments
Britain's 'dark days' are behind us, Jeremy Hunt tells nation
153 Comments
Rishi Sunak vows to make further tax cuts ahead of UK autumn general election
95 Comments
Martin Lewis accuses Jeremy Hunt of 'giving with one hand, taking with another' in clash
49 Comments
Jeremy Hunt's subtle hint that he's about to abolish inheritance tax forever
254 Comments
Local residents break down in tears after being priced out of UK's prettiest coastal towns
24 Comments
Sir Keir Starmer fails to commit to raising income tax thresholds if Labour wins election
182 Comments
'Here's the truth of it': Nigel Farage makes dire Labour general election prediction
860 Comments
Russia's Wagner Group is helping Islamist terrorists, shocking report reveals
7 Comments
Andrew Neil rips into Humza Yousaf for 'most absurd speech by politician of recent memory'
304 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of having 'no bearing on reality' with fresh Brexit swipe
374 Comments
SNP MP admits independence is 'over' if they lose election as Yousaf pleads for voters
52 Comments
Humza Yousaf ruthlessly mocked over claim independence could make Scots ￡10k better off
140 Comments
Eurozone slump proves Britain was right all along to quit bloc, says Brexiteer
1542 Comments
Humza Yousaf begs bus tycoon for help with SNP donations dwindling
511 Comments
Don't be scared... now is the time to back Reform UK to save Britain, says Howard Cox
44 Comments
Desperate Brussels plots power-grab as bloc could slap EU citizens with shameless tax rise
481 Comments
European country warned against joining 'unflattering' Eurozone as future hangs in balance
18 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
18 Comments
Bosses see the light, let's hope politicians don't mess this up, says Tim Newark
13 Comments
Top EU heavyweight plans major shake up to single market as weaker countries struggle
22 Comments
Britain's 'dark days' are behind us, Jeremy Hunt tells nation
153 Comments
Rishi Sunak vows to make further tax cuts ahead of UK autumn general election
95 Comments
Martin Lewis accuses Jeremy Hunt of 'giving with one hand, taking with another' in clash
49 Comments
Jeremy Hunt's subtle hint that he's about to abolish inheritance tax forever
254 Comments
Local residents break down in tears after being priced out of UK's prettiest coastal towns
24 Comments
Sir Keir Starmer fails to commit to raising income tax thresholds if Labour wins election
182 Comments
'Here's the truth of it': Nigel Farage makes dire Labour general election prediction
860 Comments
Russia's Wagner Group is helping Islamist terrorists, shocking report reveals
7 Comments
Andrew Neil rips into Humza Yousaf for 'most absurd speech by politician of recent memory'
304 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of having 'no bearing on reality' with fresh Brexit swipe
374 Comments
SNP MP admits independence is 'over' if they lose election as Yousaf pleads for voters
52 Comments
Humza Yousaf ruthlessly mocked over claim independence could make Scots ￡10k better off
140 Comments
Eurozone slump proves Britain was right all along to quit bloc, says Brexiteer
1542 Comments
Humza Yousaf begs bus tycoon for help with SNP donations dwindling
511 Comments
Don't be scared... now is the time to back Reform UK to save Britain, says Howard Cox
44 Comments
Desperate Brussels plots power-grab as bloc could slap EU citizens with shameless tax rise
481 Comments
European country warned against joining 'unflattering' Eurozone as future hangs in balance
18 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
18 Comments
Bosses see the light, let's hope politicians don't mess this up, says Tim Newark
13 Comments
Top EU heavyweight plans major shake up to single market as weaker countries struggle
22 Comments
Britain's 'dark days' are behind us, Jeremy Hunt tells nation
153 Comments
He said: "I'm not selling independence as being an overnight change, that somehow the day after we become independent there will be rivers of milk and honey and the manna will fall from the sky.
"There will be challenges, of course, there will be difficulties. It will be a transitional process."
In contrast, he insisted the UK's economic problems are "hardwired, it's systemic".
Related articles Royal Navy scrambles for new recruits after reports of critical sailor shortage Chilling moment thousands of Italian fascists salute in scenes like WWII Ministers scramble to speed up overturning Post Office Horizon convictions All the questions on the Rwanda Bill answered Macron's desperate power grab to stop Le Pen from 'baby' PM to pensions vows