IN a stunning U-turn, the founder of a pro-Union think tank has said it is “absolutely” the right time for indyref2.

TV historian Dan Snow was one of the most prominent opponents of independence in the run-up to the 2014 referendum, organising the notorious “love-bombing” campaign that saw English celebrities pleading with Scotland to stick with the Union.

But now, Snow, who, along with fellow historian Tom Holland, and blogger Kevin Hague, was one of the founding members of the These Islands think tank, has backed a new vote on the constitution.

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On Twitter, he shared a video of British and German WWII veterans meeting each other on the anniversary of D-Day.

In the clip, the German tells the other, “now we are friends” but the British solider replies: “We are more than that ... we are brothers.”

Snow said it was “no coincidence that the obsession with undiluted sovereignty has grown as memories of catastrophic inter-state wars have faded”. He added: “Bring on compromise and fraternity, not the mirage of absolute self-determination.”

Stuart Campbell, the editor of the Wings Over Scotland blog, then asked Snow if he now backed “giving Scotland another chance to escape being dragged out of the international fraternity?”

He replied: “Absolutely!”

He added: “I hate borders. I hate barriers. If Englishmen put them up I don’t blame you for wanting them down.”

When Campbell then asked if that meant Snow would “advise Scots to vote Yes,” the historian replied: “No way.”

He added: “One thing Brexit has taught me is the utter insanity of trying to rip countries apart. To build borders where there should be none. Schism and division are awful.

“But if Brexit happens and the Scottish people give the SNP a majority then I’ll get why you’re voting again.”

Snow’s sudden support for giving Scots the chance to overthrow the union, comes as he’s made an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

In 2014, Snow and Holland came up with a campaign, which involved 200 public figures including Mick Jagger, Judi Dench, Stephen Hawking and John Barrowman, signing a open letter urging voters to say no to independence.

Just days before the referendum they organised a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, attended by 5000 people. Snow said the rally was to show Scotland “that England cares”.

Angus Robertson from the Progress Scotland think tank, welcomed Snow’s change of heart.

“Many people are changing their views about Scotland’s future, both here and elsewhere,” he said.

“Brexit has caused many to think about things again. Scotland being taken out of the European Union against the will of Scottish voters is a democratic outrage that is understandable to most reasonable people. If Dan Snow now understands why it is better for Scotland to be independent and protect its place in Europe, that’s very much to be welcomed.

“As a historian he understands how Scotland’s connections with European partners have been strong for centuries and are important to our national, economic, cultural and intellectual inheritance. Scotland is a European country and wants to remain so.

“We should be welcoming to everyone who is thinking again about Scotland’s future. I would commend Dan Snow for being open-minded.”

These Islands has been quiet in recent weeks, with no publications since April, and only one news story in May.

However, a spokesman said last night that it does not argue that a second referendum on Scottish independence should never happen but that neither it not Snow believes that it should happen now “especially since there is no majority in