Former MSP risks ire with independence 'steps'

MIKE Russell, one of the SNP's senior figures, has risked an angry backlash from party activists by proposing a gradual approach to independence - taking a series of small steps rather than securing everything with one big referendum victory.

Mr Russell has suggested the concept of a "New Union" with England which would see Westminster retain control over foreign affairs and defence, leaving Scotland with every other domestic policy agenda, including finance.

The former MSP, who hopes to return to Holyrood next year, described the move as a "stepping stone" to independence.

But his approach - outlined in a new book, Grasping The Thistle - will trigger an angry reaction from activists and MSPs when the SNP gathers for its conference next month.

"This is entirely in the context of saying that history tells us that Scottish people are slow to change," he said.

"If it was necessary over a period of years to make a series of changes and get to the stage where Westminster is still in control of foreign affairs and defence, then this might be a way to go.

"This would be moving towards independence. We are not saying you stop the process when you get there, but we are saying this is a model you can envisage when devolution is a rolling process."

Mr Russell's intervention in the debate over the independence process will delight the Liberal Democrats, some of whom have been considering seriously the possibility of an SNP Lib Dem coalition, but who are still fundamentally opposed to an independence referendum.

Mr Russell is also following Murray Ritchie, the Convener of the Independence Convention, who suggested in The Scotsman earlier this year that one route to independence might be for Scotland to abandon the Union of the Parliaments, but keep the Union of the Crowns.

Both Mr Russell and Mr Ritchie are exploring new ideas on independence, but neither is likely to spark the enthusiastic support of the SNP membership, which wants to see independence as soon as possible without any provisos or complications.

Mr Russell, a former education front-bencher, has always been on the right of his party and he is unlikely to find many supporters among the SNP's more traditional left-wing activists for his radical ideas.

Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, has made it clear he does not want to dilute the independence message ahead of the election and is not expected to be too appreciative of Mr Russell's ideas - particularly this close to an election.

If Mr Russell's ideas were to gain credence within the SNP, they could pave the way for an easy and amicable SNP-Lib Dem coalition after next May's elections, particularly as the main hurdle at the moment appears to the Nationalists' insistence on a referendum on independence.

At the core of Mr Russell's vision for Scotland is a "New Union" with England in which the SNP accepts Scotland's place within the UK, but argues for additional powers.

It would mean Holyrood acquiring full financial independence, but sharing powers with London.

The book states: "In such a New Union all of the matters reserved to Westminster would be devolved to Holyrood, apart from foreign affairs... and military command.

"These matters and the monarchy would be what constitutes our shared responsibilities and these alone."