Humza Yousaf signals change in independence strategy

Humza Yousaf has said he would welcome an independence referendum "tomorrow" as he signalled a change in his preferred strategy.

The first minister said a majority of Scottish seats (or 29) in a general election would provide a mandate to begin negotiations for a referendum.

He previously tabled a proposal based on the SNP winning the most seats, which would be a lower threshold.

It comes as the SNP's annual conference starts in Aberdeen.

The leadership was under pressure to alter its plan ahead of a key debate and vote on the party's independence strategy.

Party insiders believe a majority of seats will give them a stronger mandate for independence talks.

If the party won "most" seats, the figure could be much lower than 29 if many other parties won seats.

The first minister told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that "mandate after mandate" for an independence vote have been denied by successive Conservative governments.

He said the next test of the proposition will be in a general election, which is expected to be held next year.

Mr Yousaf said if the SNP win the majority of seats it would give the Scottish government a mandate to begin negotiations with the UK government on "how to give that [the mandate] democratic effect".

He said several options would then be on the table, including a referendum.

Mr Yousaf has said previously he wanted to build "sustained" support for independence. He told the BBC that would mean 50% plus one backing for Yes, adding that we would hold a referendum "tomorrow".

"If Westminster parties want to test the proposition for 50% plus one, I'm happy to do that. That has to be through a referendum to test propositions for popular support," he told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

"We want a referendum, demand a referendum. We've been elected on a mandate for a referendum.

"If you want one, bring it on. We'll do it tomorrow. I guarantee you, independence will be here sooner rather than later."

The SNP conference is now in full swing with delegates listening to debates in the hall.

Independence strategy dominates conference today and the leadership look amenable to accepting almost everything members want.

This includes switching from winning "most" seats to a "majority" of seats to begin independence negotiations with the UK government.

That's a higher bar (at least 29 seats) and at least gives the impression of a stronger democratic threshold despite the fact they're widely predicted to lose seats.

It's also what many members want with an amendment demanding so - and you need those folk out chapping doors in an election campaign.

That maybe didn't happen as much as it should have done in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

It sounds like a targeting of Tory seats right here in the north-east.

Partly because of that Rutherglen result, pro-union parties are resting a bit easier thinking the party here in Aberdeen is on the backfoot.

Support for independence has been steadying at about 48% since the Supreme Court ruled the Scottish Parliament could not legislate for an independence referendum without the UK government's consent.

Scotland currently has 59 seats in the UK Parliament. However, under recommendations from a Westminster boundary review, that will decrease to 57 at the next general election.

That means the number of seats required for a majority will decrease from 30 to 29.

Mr Yousaf's proposal to use use the next general election to push for independence is also backed by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has proposed an amendment that any independence negotiations with the UK government should be conducted by a constitutional convention of MPs elected from Scotland, MSPs and "representatives of civic Scotland". Ms Cherry told the BBC this could include any party that wanted to be involved.

Ahead of the conference vote on the motion, Ms Cherry said her amendment had won the backing of the leadership.

The MP said she was not insisting on her other amendment in the independence strategy debate "in the interests of party unity".

That amendment would have suggested that the Scottish government will be able to advance independence talks if the SNP, combined with other pro-independence parties, win a majority of Scottish votes in the next general election.

Ms Cherry added that she will be "getting behind the leadership's strategy".

It comes as the party faces criticism over the NHS, the attainment gap and the worst drug death rates in Europe.

And just days before the conference SNP MP Lisa Cameron defected to the Tories.

She said she quit because of a "toxic" culture in the SNP's Westminster group - though SNP President Mike Russell said her constituency party lost faith in her and her "unsubstantiated" claims should be examined.

It also comes as Humza Yousaf's in-laws from Dundee are trapped in a war zone in Gaza with no way out.

Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband, Maged, had travelled to the south of the Palestinian enclave last week to see a sick relative.

The conference comes at a time when the SNP have experienced a number of blows.

Earlier this year, Humza Yousaf's predecessor Nicola Sturgeon was arrested, as was her husband, the SNP's former chief executive Peter Murrell and its former treasurer Colin Beattie.

All were released without charge as part of an ongoing investigation into the party's finances.

The party also lost to Labour in the recent Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.

Internal divisions have also emerged over the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.