INDEPENDENCE supporters would be "naive" to think the creation of new pro-Yes parties would win indyref2, according to a senior figure from the 2014 referendum campaign.
Dennis Canavan called for "maximum co-operation" among Yes voters ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election and said Scots will be seeking "radical change" after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
The former chairman of the 2014 Yes campaign said independence supporters should make a case for a well-resourced NHS and better community care.
There has been speculation about new independence parties in the wake of the Alex Salmond trial, with former SNP deputy leader, Jim Sillars, saying last month that the former FM's book will be like a "volcanic eruption" for the SNP.
He said the trial had shown there was a need “for a complete clear-out of the highest levels of the party before it is again fit to lead again”.
READ MORE: Jim Sillars says SNP may have to quit after Alex Salmond's book
A new Independence for Scotland Party led by a former SNP activist has said now is “the time to be bold” in the Yes campaign.
READ MORE: Independence for Scotland Party says now is the time for ‘bold’ push
But former Scottish Labour MP Canavan told the Daily Record the independence movement will not win a referendum with the creation of more pro-Yes parties.
He said the campaign needs to attract a wider public to win a vote and that the SNP cannot win the vote alone.
He added: "It would be naive to imagine that the creation of more pro-independence parties will necessarily translate into more pro-independence votes in a referendum," he said.
"However, for the Yes campaign to be successful, it must be inclusive, embracing people of different political parties and people who are not members of any political party.
"The SNP, as the party of government, must obviously be in the forefront of the campaign, but SNP voters alone will probably not be enough to win victory in the next referendum.
"The Yes campaign must reach out to other parties and other individuals who are committed to the cause of independence."
Canavan added that the Tory Government's response to coronavirus is strengthening the Yes movement.
He continued: "For understandable reasons, public campaigning has virtually stopped as a result of the pandemic but, once the current crisis is over, many people will be looking for radical change, including an adequately resourced NHS and much better standards of community care.
"In his response to the coronavirus, Boris Johnson is showing utter confusion rather than strong leadership.
"He is completely out of touch with the people of Scotland on this and on so many other issues.
"He will no doubt try to impose further austerity measures in the aftermath of the coronavirus.
"Once the pandemic is over,the challenge for the Yes campaign will be to put forward a credible alternative vision of an independent Scotland , a caring, sharing society where people are encouraged to look after each other all the time and not just during a time of crisis."
Canavan famously quit Labour ahead of the first Scottish Parliament elections in 1999 after the party refused to select him as a candidate.
He stood as an independent in Falkirk West and was returned with largest majority of any MSP.
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