Second poll soon, claims SNP adviser

A SECOND independence referendum could be just months away, one of Nicola Sturgeon’s closest advisers has claimed – but warned that Scots are not ‘quite ready’ for another vote.

Andrew Wilson yesterday hit out at critics of his controversial Growth Commission report as he said that the country was ‘readying’ for a re-run of the 2014 referendum.

The SNP’s latest blueprint for independence was published earlier this year, with Mr Wilson facing fierce criticism from those on the Left wing of the party.

They were angry over plans to prioritise deficit reduction over public spending, and keeping the pound.

Speaking to the Sunday Herald, Mr Wilson said: ‘I think people are leery of referendums.

‘I think people are leery of politics full stop, but they also want to be sure they do the right thing for the long term.

‘I don’t think people are quite ready yet, but I think they are readying, should the question be required.’

On the long awaited Growth Commission report, Mr Wilson said he had been surprised by the backlash.

He added: ‘I was surprised by the ferocity in some small quarters. If you are on the radical Left, you might take a cynical view, “well who cares what the financial institutions think” and that’s fine, but we have to build the country.’

Last night Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: ‘When even the First Minister’s closest advisers are telling her that Scots don’t want to sever ties with the UK, it’s clear the Nationalists are continuing to lose the argument.’