There’s no quick route to victory, admits Sturgeon

You’ll have to wait for a second referendum, First Minister tells supporters

NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday put the brakes on a second independence referendum as she warned obsessive supporters there are ‘no shortcuts’ to separation.

She urged caution as she marked the first anniversary of last year’s divisive poll, amid growing pressure from many in her party.

But the First Minister, addressing her MSPs and MPs in Edinburgh, shamelessly revealed she will trigger another gruelling constitutional battle if opinion polls suggest she can get the result she wants.

Her predecessor Alex Salmond – who announced his resignation one year ago today – also claimed the break-up of Britain is inevitable, arguing it is the ‘way the wind is blowing’.

Last night, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson accused Miss Sturgeon of using the prospect of a second referendum as her ‘plaything’, adding: ‘That’s her being the First Minister for the SNP and not of Scotland.’

The comments came as pro - independence activists marched on Holyrood to demand another referendum. The topic is expected to dominate next month’s SNP conference.

Miss Sturgeon’s softer rhetoric is designed to persuade some No voters to back the Nationalists in next May’s Scottish parliament election, as she fired the starting gun yesterday for that contest.

She revealed Deputy First Minister John Swinney will lead the campaign, replacing long-serving election chief Angus Robertson, while Britain’s youngest MP, Mhairi Black, will have a role as leader of a ‘youth campaign’.

Miss Sturgeon also said she aims to win another majority, which Holyrood’s system is designed to prevent.

In her election manifesto, Miss Sturgeon will set out a possible timetable for a second referendum. She said yesterday: ‘It will consider the circumstances in which it might be appropriate, sometime in the future, to propose such a referendum.

‘Let me be clear, this is a judgment that we will make carefully. And it is a judgment that will be driven, not by the interests of the SNP but by the interests of the people of Scotland as a whole.

‘We respect last year’s result. It would be wrong to propose another referendum without a fundamental change of circumstances or a strong indication that a significant number of those who voted No last year had changed their minds.

‘But it would also be wrong – in the face of a clear and material shift in circumstances or public opinion – for any one politician or party to rule out another referendum.’

She continued: ‘If we are to win

Caution: Nicola Sturgeon yesterday independence, we must convince a majority of Scots that it represents the best future for Scotland. That was true last year, it is true now and it will be true at all times in the future. There are no shortcuts.

‘Independence won’t happen just because its supporters become more impatient for change.

‘An even more committed, enthusiastic and impatient 45 per cent is still just 45 per cent.’

If she does press ahead with a second referendum, Miss Sturgeon will be breaking her vow to voters that last year’s contest was a ‘ once-in-ageneration’ opportunity.

Last night, Miss Davidson said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon is trying to ride both horses at the moment – she’s trying to reassure the country but also fire up her membership. She’s been talking about the Union being on borrowed time but she’s also been telling her members that an impatient 45 per cent is still only 45 per cent.

‘She seems to think a second referendum is her plaything and she can call it at the point which the SNP can win it. That’s her being the First Minister for the SNP and not of Scotland.

‘I think business and people in Scotland want to see less wrangling over the constitution. We had a debate, we made a decision and want to see the Scottish Government do its day job and focus on schools, on hospitals on the police force on the economy.’

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale urged Miss Sturgeon to stop campaigning for a second referendum and focus on making sure young Scots can have the best start in life.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘ We should be marking the first anniversary of the referendum with a commitment to bring the country together, not creating division with another referendum.’

He launched a ‘ to do’ list for Miss Sturgeon, which included recruiting more GPs, expanding nursery provision and setting up an independent inquiry into Police Scotland.

‘First Minister for the SNP, not for Scotland’