Mr Dale told Express.co.uk he and many other voters currently could not consider voting for the SNP due to the fact the party is intrinsically left-wing. He also stressed the importance of the SNP providing the people of Scotland with answers to basic questions regarding what independence will mean for the Scottish economy.
Mr Dale said: “The SNP is an intrinsically left-wing party so in a general election as someone on the right, I could never consider voting for the SNP whatever my views on independence.
“That is where I think the SNP have gone wrong.
“I think there is an opportunity for the independence movement now, but they have got to answer some fairly basic questions about the economy.
“Because in the end people tend to vote not just with their hearts but with their heads and if their heads tell them leaving the union will drastically damage them that may well be a reason not to vote for them.
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“It is still 50/50 the polls are showing a slight majority for independence which wasn’t the case before the 2014 referendum.
“Neither side can take victory for granted if there was indeed to be another referendum.”
Earlier in her statement at Holyrood Nicola Sturgeon outlined her intention to submit a draft bill setting out the terms and timing of a second Scottish independence referendum.
Nicola Sturgeon told Scottish Parliament in a statement that the UK Government’s decision to not seek an extension to the post-Brexit transition period strengthens the case for Scottish independence.
She added: “Brexit and the way in which Brexit is being implemented immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country with the ability to shape our own destiny.
“If this was a programme for Government in an independent Scotland, we wouldn’t have to contemplate the damage of Brexit at all.
“That is why before the end of this parliament we will publish a draft bill setting out the proposed terms and timing of an independence referendum as well as the proposed question that people will be asked in that referendum.
“Then at next year’s election we will make the case for Scotland to become an independent country, we will seek a clear endorsement for Scotland’s right to choose its own future.”
