Thread by @Jonathon_Shafi

1/Euan McColm latest column is interesting for independence supporters to read - partly because of some of the quotes from SNP insiders. Gives some pointers about how the SNP leadership may approach indyref next parliament.

2/ "The new fundamentalists who demand a referendum will, says one Sturgeon ally, have to show exactly how they are going to organise a referendum that’s recognised as legal and would allow for Scotland’s return to the EU."

3/ "If they cannot do this then, in the words of this particular campaigner, “they can shut up or f*** off”."

4/ A number of points. First - the idea that holding a referendum in the next parliament would be seen as a 'fundamentalist' position is clearly wrong. Not only within the independence movement, but among the electorate. The latest poll shows 53% favour one in next 5 years.

5/ It is the job of leadership to show how to get a new referendum. If the position is simply to say there is no legal route, and that means no referendum - end of story - then that is a serious problem for the whole movement. It is not something to wield against the movement.

6/ Third - note how EU membership is being deployed in the quote by the 'Sturgeon ally'. Not as a gateway to independence. But as an obstacle. This has to be clearly understood. They are adding a further - limiting - stipulation on indyref.

7/ The next quote from an SNP source is even more troubling. Because as well as saying those who want a referendum in the next five years must show how to achieve this legally, they are *at the same time* briefing against a legal challenge.

8/ “There’s something problematic about the idea of going to the courts to try to force the UK gov to give us the power that goes beyond the pointlessness of the exercise."

Really? With several mandates, democratically won, why not make a challenge to the courts?

9/ The answer - from this 'party source' beggars belief:

"Would we really be happy in an independent Scotland to see a court strip a democratically elected government of power? Of course we wouldn’t.”

10/ The idea that these are comparable is risible. The idea that an SNP party source is ruling out such a challenge is politically feeble. So how might the democratic will - and yet another mandate - be pursued to a successful conlusion? There is no answer to this.

11/11 What we have instead are SNP sources briefing that an indyref in the next five years is not happening. I know for a fact this does not represent SNP members, or SNP officials at higher levels. These quotes, and this approach, deserve scrutiny from the whole movement.