Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP and Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell says the last thing Scotland needs is further debate on independence.
Mr Mundell was reacting to Nicola Sturgeon's speech earlier today in which she launched a "national conversation" on independence, almost two years after Scots voted 55% to 45% to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Commenting David Mundell MP said: "The last thing Scotland needs is another drawn out debate on independence.
"Today's new poll could not be clearer: people in Scotland do not want another divisive referendum. Nicola Sturgeon should take the idea off the table and concentrate on the issues that people really care about.
"Constant talk of a second referendum is creating uncertainty that is damaging our economic prospects.
"And in the past few days, the Scottish Government's own deficit figures have highlighted the huge advantages of being able to pool and share resources across the whole UK.
"They showed the UK is the vital union for Scotland, not the EU."