The Conservative party in Scotland has gone on the offensive against the Scottish National Party (SNP) by underscoring their vehement opposition to a new Scottish independence referendum (known as indyref2). As part of that political offensive, the new Scottish Tory leader, Jackson Carlaw, has said he is “totally opposed” to a fresh referendum.

Speaking to the BBC’s Politics Scotland programme, Carlaw ruled out a second independence poll on the grounds that the September 2014 referendum was a “once in a generation opportunity”.

"I don't know how you define a generation ...

but I do know what a generation isn't ...

it's not five years and it's not even a decade", Carlaw quipped.

Carlaw, who was only elected Scottish Tory leader two days ago, was at a loss to justify his position on democratic grounds in the light of the pertinent fact that the SNP (which has an overwhelming democratic mandate from the Scottish people) has repeatedly called for a new referendum.

Carlaw reiterated the hardline Tory position that there should not be another independence vote even if opinion polls consistently show majority support for Scottish independence.

  On the issue of a possible split in the Conservative party over the issue of an independence referendum, Carlaw denied a report in the Herald (Scotland’s oldest broadsheet newspaper) that “growing numbers” of senior Tories are coming round to the idea of indyref2.

There is “no split” in the party, Carlaw adamantly said.

     Carlaw’s fierce attack on the SNP and indyref2 will inevitably fuel speculation that the Scottish Tories are desperately trying to conceal divisions on this issue within their own ranks.