South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has said that the SNP’s push for Independence will lead to years of uncertainty for workers and businesses across Dumfries and Galloway.

The claim comes as Nicola Sturgeon said ahead of SNP Conference that she would request a new Section 30 within weeks to hold another Independence Referendum.

In 2014, Dumfries and Galloway voted 65.7% against Independence with a number of people concerned over the cross border links with the North of England.

Colin Smyth said, “If Brexit has shown us anything it is that the damage and uncertainty that can be inflicted on border communities. Whether its workers accessing jobs in Carlisle and the North of England or businesses relying on cross border trade the uncertainty that another Independence referendum would create for our region would be extremely damaging.

Our region faces a number of challenges such as being a low wage economy and a lack of digital and transport connectivity which hold back our local economy. Uncertainty on cross border links between Dumfries and Galloway and the North of England would be yet another blow for our local economy. We can see the effects on communities and businesses of uncertainty in Northern Ireland with current negotiations over Brexit. Negotiations over Independence could lead to a similar situation at Gretna which would be at the expense of local jobs and businesses.”

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