SNP To Stand Alone On Europe

The SNP will not stand with the Tories on the European in/out referendum.

Despite sharing some common ground with Europhile Conservatives, Nationalist MPs have criticised their campaign to remain part of the EU as "unremittingly negative".

Many say their experience of the Scottish independence referendum has taught them they need to make a positive case to the public.

Stephen Gethins is the MP for North East Fife, he says it is an issue that transcends politics.

A referendum on the UK's membership of Europe is due to take place in 2017, although no date has been set.

Peter Grant, the MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, is drawing parallels with the Better Together campaign during the independence referendum, and says he won't stand with any of the official campaigns.

But other Fife politicians have criticised the SNP for not taking a definitive enough stance on Europe. Fife MSP and Scittish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the party should "put their country before narrow party interest."

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP Roger Mullin says his party want to make their own, more positive, case for the EU.