The Labour leader said his Government would instead be focused on its own priorities
Keir Starmer has said he will not support an independence referendum while he is Prime Minister.
The Labour leader said “nobody” is raising indyref2 as their “first priority”.
In an interview with BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, Starmer said an SNP victory at next year’s Holyrood election would not change his mind. “I think it’s really important to focus on the priorities that matter most,” he said.
“We got a big election win last year on the basis that we would stabilise the economy and ensure that on that foundation we built a stronger Scotland in a stronger United Kingdom and that’s what I intend to do.”
Starmer said of his recent talks with SNP First Minister John Swinney:
He said: “Nobody’s raising that with me as their first priority, certainly in the discussions I’m having with the first minister.
“We’re talking about jobs, energy, security and dealing with the cost of living crisis.”
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Swinney has not set out a detailed route map to independence since he succeeded Humza Yousaf, but he has spoken of securing “demonstrable support” for independence.
It comes after a new poll showed support for independence rising amid fears Reform UK leader Nigel Farage could become Prime Minister.
A survey by Norstat put support for ending the Union on 54 per cent, a joint record high for a poll carried out by the firm.
Asked how they would vote in an independence referendum if Farage was already in Downing Street, 58 per cent of Scots said they would vote Yes.
Support for Scotland leaving the UK has remained high over the last two years despite a steep drop in the popularity of the SNP.
The results were published ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday, which is viewed as three-way race between the SNP, Labour and Reform.
Farage visited Hamilton on Monday, but was accused of bottling a meeting with the Scottish press.
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