An SNP councillor has said a debate at the party conference on a so-called ‘plan B’ for delivering independence has been blocked.
Chris McEleny, who backs an alternative strategy, said he was “bitterly disappointed” at the decision.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ’s independence strategy is based on securing a joint agreement with the UK Government on a referendum.
In 2014, the UK Government temporarily devolved the power to hold a referendum and Sturgeon believes the same should happen in the event of indyref2.
However, with the UK Government rejecting another referendum, Sturgeon’s critics believe her plan is flawed as Boris Johnson could continue to say no.
McEleny and SNP MP Angus MacNeil believe that, if Westminster refuses a second vote, next year’s Holyrood election should become a de facto referendum on Scottish independence.
They want this so-called “plan B” to be debated at the upcoming SNP conference.
However, in a press release, McEleny said a debate was blocked at a meeting of the SNP’s conferences committee.
The release said SNP delegates will instead be invited to take part in an "open mic" session at the conference in which anyone can voice an opinion on independence.
He said: “If the SNP win a majority next year, and polls are showing even greater support for independence, are Westminster suddenly going to agree to a referendum when it’s even more likely that they will lose it ?
“The more it looks like Scots will vote for independence the more the forces at Whitehall will act to block our right to self determination."
He added: “I’m bitterly disappointed that SNP members won’t be allowed to debate a plan designed to allow us take Scotland’s future into our own hands at next year’s Holyrood elections - whether the UK Government like it or not."
MacNeil said: “We have ended up here at the mercy of the Tories by our own hand. Unless we change our Plan-A-only policy, it doesn’t matter how much those who have the microphone boldly proclaim that Plan A has ‘momentum’ or that Boris Johnson’s position is ‘unsustainable’.
“It has been almost four-and-a-half years since the Brexit vote and face facts, the cupboard is bare.”
An SNP spokesman said: "Effective leadership during the global pandemic is proving a real boost to support for an independent Scotland. Next month's SNP conference will focus on what’s important to the people of Scotland, and independence will very much be at the heart of debate."
