Boris Johnson is preparing indyref2 campaign, says SNP Deputy leader

The UK government is already preparing for a referendum on Scottish independence and Boris Johnson will grant a repeat of the 2014 vote with a Nationalist triumph at the Holyrood election.

Keith Brown says Boris Johnson will back a referendum

SNP Deputy leader Keith Brown made the claim today as he also unveiled plans for a new grassroots push to convince Scots of the case for leaving the UK.

A ‘household guide to independence’ will be among a series of magazines launched by the party to promote a Yes vote in the build up to next year's Holyrood election, Mr Brown said as he addressed the SNP conference today.

Nicola Sturgeon wants a referendum held in the early part of the next Parliament if a pro-independence majority is returned at the Scottish Parliament election in May. Senior Nationalists like SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford say this could be as early as next year with consistent polling showing a majority of Scots now back leaving the UK.

But the UK constitution is reserved to Westminster and Mr Johnson has so far ruled out a transfer of power which would enable a vote to take place. It prompted SNP Home Affairs spokeswoman Joanna Cherry to call on Holyrood to press ahead with its own referendum if a pro-independence majority is returned next May and Mr Johnson refuses to budge.

Mr Brown said today: "I know some delegates are genuinely concerned about the cynicism and intransigence of the UK Government."

But he added that a referendum achieved through Westminster approval via a section 30 order is the "crucial route to achieving our internationally-recognised independence."

He insisted that Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and the Prime Minister are already preparing for a second vote.

"The Johnsons and the Goves of Westminster know that they cannot stand in the way of the democratic will of Scotland," he added.

"Would Gove be flying a kite about changing the franchise if he didn’t think there was a referendum coming? No.

"Would Gove have established his “Union Unit” in the UK Government? No.

"Would Boris Johnson have risked facing the fearsome Scottish midge during his summer holiday before retreating in defeat if he didn’t think the referendum was coming? No."

The SNP Deputy leader pointed to a series of climbdowns form the Prime Minister.

"What we know is that Boris Johnson bows to pressure. And the more votes we can win in May, the more that pressure will become impossible to resist.”

Mr Brown revealed the party is to launch new ways to deliver Covid safe campaigning, including snp.scot, a "virtual doorstep" to help supporters canvass voters.

A drive to help more people across Scotland sign up for postal votes will also be undertaken.

A series of magazines, which will be published right up to referendum day, will also be launched.

"Our plans had to be put on hold when lockdown came, but with a brighter future ahead and more people asking for information on what independence means for them, the first in the series will include part one of a ‘household guide to independence’ which you can use to convince those still looking to be convinced of the merits of independence," he told delegates.

"Our campaign might have only begun but, my friends, I promise that it will not let up until we win that referendum."

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.