Next independence referendum campaign must start now, says SNP deputy hopeful
Julie Hepburn makes plea as nominations close
SNP depute leadership contender Julie Hepburn has declared it is vital the party launches a fresh independence campaign “right now” as nominations closed in the race for the post.
Ms Hepburn yesterday said work must begin to win over No voters as it was confirmed she would be standing against Economy Secretary Keith Brown and Inverclyde councillor Christopher Mceleny.
Around 100,000 party members qualify to take part in the vote and will be sent ballot papers to rank candidates in order of preference under the single transferable vote system. The winner will be announced at the start of the party’s conference in Aberdeen on 8 June.
So far the contest has been dominated by the question of when an independence referendum should be held. Mr Mceleny has made an appeal to the hard line independence supporters by suggesting it should take place within 18 months’ time.
Mr Brown, the front-runner in the race, has urged a more pragmatic approach.
As she called for a new campaign to begin, Ms Hepburn said the party should focus on how independence could be achieved rather than when a referendum should be held.
She said independence was “tantalisinglyclose”in2014,but said the next campaign should not be a “re-run” of the last one. “Simply shouting the same arguments more loudly is not going to convince those who can be persuaded,” she said.
“We need to build a renewed case for independence and start laying those campaign foundations now. We don’t need a date in the diary to start this work.
“It is vital that we launch a fresh campaign for independencerightnowifwearetohave a chance of winning a second referendum. At the heart of these early stages of a renewed campaign must be engaging and listening to those who voted No in 2014. Some people will never be open to the idea of independence, but significant numbers of people who voted No last time are there to be persuaded.
“We undoubtedly have a
“Simply shouting the same arguments more loudly is not going to convince those who can be persuaded”