SNP 'must reassure Scots scared by independence'

Published on Sunday 18 October 2009 23:10

SNP members were told they needed to head out and reassure Scots who are "scared of change" about the merits of independence.

Mike Russell, below, who as Minister for the Constitution is piloting the party's independence plans through parliament, claimed yesterday that independence was "almost there".

He said winning a parliamentary vote would be a "basic struggle about democracy", claiming his opponents were on the run.

However, Mr Russell's hopes look set to be dashed with little sign that the Unionist parties will support the measures. The Lib Dems are expected to back their own position of opposition to a referendum at their Scottish conference.

Without a majority in the Holyrood parliament, the referendum bill looks set to be voted down when Mr Russell tables it early next year.