The SNP’s Holyrood election manifesto will not spell out detailed circumstances under which a second independence referendum could be called, The Courier can reveal.
Instead, the policy book will argue for the Scottish Government’s “sovereign right” to call a rerun of last September’s vote should the conditions arise,according to those at the top of the party.
Nicola Sturgeon told the party’sconference in Aberdeen a significant shift in public opinion would be the main driver for another bid to leave the UK.
A Brexit from the EU was againsingled out as a potential catalyst, while a spokesman for the First Ministersuggested opinion polls would be the main barometer of voters’ appetite.
With the near 5,000 capacity AECC around a third full, Ms Sturgeon argued that people should focus on the SNP’s record in government and promised to unveil a raft of “radical” new policies before next May’s vote.
But she continued to dangle thepossibility of another referendum in front of delegates, despite stressing it would be “wrong” to re-launch acampaign “without strong evidence that a significant number of those who voted No have changed their minds”.
She said: “Over the next few years, as the Tories impose even deeper cuts, press ahead with Trident renewal and fail to honour in full the vow of more powers for our parliament, I thinksupport for independence will continue to rise. So let me be clear about this.
“If there is strong and consistentevidence that people have changed their minds and that independence has become the choice of a clear majority in this country, then we have no right to rule out a referendum and we won’t do that either. No one has the right to stand in the way of democracy.”
In a message to Prime Minister David Cameron, she added: “If you try to take Scotland out of the EU against ourdemocratic wishes, you will bebreaching the terms of last year’s vote. And, in those circumstances, you may well find that the demand for a second independence referendum is unstoppable.”
One prominent politician said the SNP manifesto would follow the same themes but not add much meat to the bones in terms of referendum triggers.
They added: “The manifesto is not going to do a checklist or list the circumstances. It will argue our sovereign right alongside the obvious scenarios Nicola has already mentioned. But there has to be change, there has to be support for it.
“Of course as the party of independence there will be something in themanifesto about having the right to hold another referendum.”
And a senior strategist confirmed: “It will be about having the right ifcircumstances change and the EU.”
A Labour spokesman said: “People in Scotland aren’t daft and they know when the SNP are trying to dupe them. In an age of straight talking, honest politics, Nicola Sturgeon should just be clear about whether or not she will stick to her previous promise that the referendum was a once in a generation event.”