NICOLA Sturgeon has warned Yes supporters a pro-independence majority at Holyrood would be at risk if they vote for a new party proposed by the man behind the Wings Over Scotland blog.

Stuart Campbell, who runs the website, is considering setting up a party that would target list seats at the next Scottish election in 2021, if a second independence referendum has not been delivered by then.

The strategy would mean it would not directly compete with the SNP for constituency votes and Campbell has insisted it would probably result in more pro-independence MSPs being returned to Holyrood.

However, speaking about the possible impact of a new party, Sturgeon said attempts to game the electoral system “risk ending up in a mess and achieving the opposite of what you wanted to”.

READ MORE: Wings Over Scotland blogger insists new party not linked to Salmond

Interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday, presenter Gary Robertson stated: “[Mr Campbell] says second votes, particularly on the list, for the SNP are wasted in terms of the way the system works. So he’s advocating that people who support independence vote for him in those circumstances.”

Sturgeon replied: “I disagree profoundly with that. If you start gaming an electoral system then you risk ending up in a mess and achieving the opposite of what you wanted to achieve. If you support independence and you want to see an SNP Government, then the simple and best way to secure that is to vote SNP at every opportunity you have. Now, you’ll have to forgive me – it’s for other people to argue a case for what they’re proposing. I’m leader of the SNP, and the best way to secure an SNP Government, the best way to secure independence is to vote SNP.”

The FM claimed opposition to a second independence referendum is “crumbling” and that the issue will be at the heart of a looming general election. She also ruled out the prospect of a “Plan B”, backed by SNP rebels, of moving to declare independence in the event of an SNP majority victory in such a vote.

The National: First Minister Nicola sturgeon

She said legislation paving the way for a future referendum will continue its Parliamentary course when MSPs return from their summer break at Holyrood this week. “I understand the urgency and importance,” she told BBC Radio Scotland, “I’ve been campaigning for independence all of my life – but we’ve seen what happens in the Brexit context when parties allow themselves to get into a mess.”

She added: “With everyday that passes now the arguments for giving the people of Scotland that choice and for the people of Scotland choosing independence becomes ever stronger.”

READ MORE: Indyref2 to be the focus of Scottish Government legislative plan 

Campbell previously told the BBC the aim was to win seats from Unionist parties in order to increase the chances of a pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliament currently has a pro-independence majority, due to the number of seats held by the SNP and Scottish Greens. He did not respond to a comment from The National.

The First Minister also urged MPs to put their differences aside and prioritise stopping a No-Deal, saying parliamentarians must this week bring forward legislation to ensure the UK avoids crashing out of the EU without a deal when they return to the Commons. She insisted the SNP would work with others from across the political spectrum in order to do so.

“I think the House of Commons has to first and foremost this week stand up and stop a No-Deal Brexit,” she said. “That has to be the priority. I’m against any form of Brexit, I want to stop Brexit, but in particular a No-Deal Brexit I think will be catastrophic for our economy, society, for a long time to come. So that’s the priority this week.” She added she would support a general election which would give people the opportunity to stop a No-Deal Brexit.