Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross challenges Nicola Sturgeon to referendum debate The leader of the Scottish Tories has challenged Nicola Sturgeon to a debate on independence. Douglas Ross MP said his call was in response the SNP’s roadmap to independence’ and suggestions from senior SNP figures that a referendum could happen this year. Both Michael Russell, Constitution Secretary, and Ian Blackford, Westminster leader, have said a second referendum could happen in 2021 after an SNP Holyrood election victory in May. Mr Ross said: “We are living under a national lockdown and in the middle of a global pandemic. “The Scottish Fiscal Commission are predicting our economy and job market won’t return to normal until about 2024.