Scottish independence: Labour voters key - Sillars

LABOUR voters will “determine the outcome” of the independence referendum, a former SNP Deputy leader has said.

Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars believes Labour voters will decide the outcome of the referendum. Picture: Julie Bull

Jim Sillars is to publish new book setting out “more radical and better policies” than the recent SNP Government’s white paper on independence.

The book entitled In Place of Fear II argues for a socialist vision for an independent Scotland which has always been “obstructed” by London.

Mr Sillars was a Labour MP before switching to the Nationalists.

“In Place of Fear II offers a far more radical road, with better polices than those the SNP offers through its white paper, for the 2016 election of a independent Government,” he said.

“The book demonstrates what the book what Labour party leaders have been keen to hide: that Socialist ideas born in Scotland have always been obstructed by the London connection.”

Sillars rocked Scottish politics when he won the Govan by-election in 1988 from Labour and was a close ally of Alex Salmond within the SNP, but left the party many years ago. He is married to the independent MSP Margo MacDonald, also a former SNP politician.

He added: “Critical to an assessment of how to build a winning Yes is the understanding that it is the Labour voter who will determine the outcome.

“The core SNP vote, plus SSP, Greens and small number of Tories, Lib Dems will not be enough. Labour people, 900,000 of them, will tip the balance and my hope is that my book will give them reasons to vote Yes.”

The title of the book is gleaned from the famous tome by iconic Labour politician Nye Bevan, the founder of the NHS, who published the original In Place of Fear in 1952.

Nicola Sturegon launched a direct appeal to Labour voters to vote Yes in a keynote speech earlier this year.