EDINBURGH, January 09 (Sputnik), Mark Hirst – There is no prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum until opinion polls begin to show consistent majority support for a break from the UK, Gordon Wilson, a former leader of the now governing Scottish National Party (SNP) told Sputnik Friday.
"Realistically there is no prospect of another referendum for the time being and then a mandate would need to be sought from a Scottish Parliament election. I suspect the people will dictate the decision," Wilson told Sputnik, adding that support for independence needs to poll above 55 percent before it would be worthwhile.
Asked by Sputnik whether Salmond's comments reflected the views of the newly elected leadership led by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Wilson said, "I am sure that Alex [Salmond] has consulted Nicola."
"The object is not a referendum per se but a means to independence. Only a UK EU referendum could alter the time scale," Wilson told Sputnik, adding that he approved of Salmond's target "of what amounts to confederation as a high stake for the UK General Election".
Robin McAlpine, a political strategist and director of the pro-independence think tank "Common Weal," told Sputnik that he believed that work should begin on securing a second independence referendum by 2020. He agreed with Wilson's point of view, stating that he would not like to "go into a referendum until we are looking at consistent 50 percent support in the polls." McAlpine called for a strategy to raise a 50-60 percent level of support first before going into a referendum.
Scottish voters took part in a referendum on independence on 18th September. The result was 55 per cent support for remaining part of the UK, with 45 per cent supporting independence for Scotland.
