SNP drops ‘Indyref2’ from ballot

THE SNP has rowed back on plans to draw attention to a second independence referendum on the ballots for May’s election.

The Herald revealed in March how the party had registered “Vote SNP for Indyref2” and “Both Votes SNP for Indyref2” as new ways of describing itself on the papers.

But early postal votes now show the party has decided not to put either description next to its name, and is using

“Nicola Sturgeon for SNP First Minister” instead.

The Scottish Tories said it was a tacit admission the SNP’S plan to hold indyref2 by 2023 was misfiring with voters.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart said: “The SNP clearly think they can dupe voters by pretending that they are not planning for another vote on independence. They’ve realised people don’t want another divisive referendum as we recover from the pandemic.”

Alba said it showed the SNP was “backsliding”.

Some SNP leaflets are also relegating “Both Votes SNP for Indyref2” to a single tiny corner.