Growth report author says indyref2 could come 'very quickly indeed'

Andrew Wilson makes the comment in his National column today, in which he “sets the record straight” on claims that he had backed a soft or slow approach to indyref2.

Writing in this paper last week, the Growth Report author said more time was needed to recast the 2014 case for independence, and described the process of leaving the UK as a “process rather than an event”.

Wilson argued: “Some (a very small number) would rather move immediately and overnight to a Marxist revolutionary state. That is their right, but they won’t win the chance to try.

“Others would rather the transition was faster, bolder and easier. This much I understand, all of us would love Rome to be built in a day.

“But the lesson of Brexit is that honesty, candour and a realistic vision is more likely to both succeed and promote our own best interests.”

The column received a strong reaction on social media, with Wilson now rejecting claims made there that he had backed a “soft” approach to a second independence referendum.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry was among those to question Wilson’s remarks, responding: “You don’t have to be a ‘Marxist revolutionary’ to disagree with this softly softly strategy. Brexit is a catastrophe about to hit Scotland & the only way to protect our society & economy is #independence #indyref2.”

However, in today’s edition, Wilson stresses that he did not comment on “going soft or slow on the timing of any future vote”.

He writes: “As I have argued in previous weeks the case needs to be readied purposefully and the focus should be on persuading the persuadable.

“Timing should be determined by the First Minister when her Government and the Parliament judges that the country is ready to choose. And for the avoidance of doubt this could come very quickly indeed.

“The ‘soft’ point I made was using the language of Brexit that people can understand to argue that I think we should offer a prospectus that sets out a clear and honest picture of what the transition to a new country will look like and how it will work practically.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to offer an update on possible plans for a new independence referendum in coming weeks.

The SNP leader has previously expressed a desire to wait until the circumstances surrounding Brexit were clear before taking a decision.

The UK is set to leave the EU on March 29.

Supporters of an early referendum include MP Angus MacNeil and former MP George Kerevan.

Others, such as MEP Alyn Smith, have called for a longer-term strategy.

He said last month: “I don’t think we’re ready to press the button on a independence referendum yet, because there are too many moving parts to Brexit.”