Annabel Goldie calls on Salmond to hold referendum now

Annabel Goldie has addressed the Scottish Conservative West of Scotland Conference for the last time as leader. Speaking to the members in attendance in Giffnock she called on Alex Salmond to call a referendum on independence immediately and stated that she would fight the case for the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the West of Scotland conference Annabel Goldie MSP said:

"Alex Salmond is behaving like some ancient colonial governor, some latter day Pictish Chief howling down anyone who is for the United Kingdom as being against Scotland. He's the man who is making a caricature of Scotland, arrogantly disowning the mandate of Scottish MP's at Westminster to represent Scotland in our other Parliament.

"He's become a self-styled Celtic Emperor affecting to speak for all of Scotland on every issue. Well he isn't, he doesn't and he needs to come down to earth with a bump. There are hundreds of thousands of Scots who do not support his separatist agenda; it's high time he let them express their views in a referendum. We need that referendum now.

"But whether it's now or whether Salmond runs scared and it's delayed, referendum there will be. And that referendum must have a clear question. Do you want to stay part of the United Kingdom? Yes or No. And no cop out option with a muddled or confusing question.

"I will never tire of making the case for Scotland in Britain. I will share a platform with all those who back this cause. It is bigger and more important than any one politician or any one political Party. I may be going as leader, but I will stay on in politics to fight for my country.

"So I say to everyone here today – Join me. Join me as we stand up and proclaim – we are one United Kingdom. Being for Britain is not being anti-Scottish. It is wanting and valuing the best of both worlds.

"Scottish and British and proud to be both - and nobody, nobody will take that away from me."

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