Nicola Sturgeon should resist calls for a quick rerun of the independence referendum, former SNP leader Gordon Wilson has said.
The ex-Dundee East MP said it would be a “strategic error” to return to the polls unless Nationalists were certain of overturning the 10 point deficit they were defeated by last September.
It comes after former First Minister Alex Salmond, who replaced Mr Wilson in 1990, said another referendum was “inevitable” and hinted that UK Government austerity policies could usher in a second plebiscite.
Mr Wilson said: “It will take a lot of character to resist the calls from enthusiastic but inexperienced new members or even those experienced hands who raise the matter prematurely.
“Of course, another referendum is inevitable.
“What is not inevitable is a Yes vote, never mind independence itself.
“The SNP should adopt a medium term strategy. Serious research on currency, pensions and economic growth – all significantly missing from last year’s effort is necessary.”
New SNP MP, George Kerevan, has said there is constant talk about a new vote among his colleagues at Westminster which “cannot be ignored.” Mr Wilson countered the issue must be “off the burner” until “support is above 55%.”
A spokeswoman for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was “no difference of opinion” between her and ex-SNP leader Mr Salmond on the issue.
Ms Sturgeon added: “It will be my ultimate decision, in line with the democratic decision-making processes of the SNP, to determine whether or not there is a commitment to a second referendum in the SNP manifesto for the Scottish election.”
Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “People will rightly be worried that Nicola Sturgeon isn’t keeping the promise she made to Scots before the referendum.”