A FORMER MSP’s plan to quit the SNP and form a new independence party ahead of next year’s Holyrood election has drawn criticism from senior SNP figures.

Dave Thompson announced he would quit the SNP after 55 years and set up Alliance for Independence (AFI) to “max the Yes” in 2021.

The former MSP, who worked in Holyrood from 2007-2016, made the announcement amid a row over how best to secure a big pro-independence majority next year.

While the SNP is on track for a big first past the post victory, some are concerned the regional list vote will not lead to a large number of pro-independence MSPs being elected.

READ MORE: Ex SNP MSP to quit and form new pro-independence party

Other pro-independence parties like the Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) are already being set up to try to gain regional list votes next year.

Last week, SNP MP Kenny MacAskill caused controversy when he called on Scots to back a different pro-indy party than his own in the regional list vote. Writing in a Scotsman column, the former justice secretary said “both Votes SNP just doesn’t work”.

Deputy first minister John Swinney rejected the MP’s calls, saying he did not understand the logic of them.

The row continued this morning as the Daily Record revealed Thompson would be launching AFI, predicting they could win up to 24 seats.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Mike Russell said his former colleague was “mistaken”.

He said: “Anybody is entitled to join or vote for any party they wish.

“I know Dave very well, I’ve worked very well with him.

“I think he’s mistaken in his analysis. I believe that in order to get independence we need a unified movement.

“The SNP is the key part, or a key part, of that movement. I’ve been a member of the SNP now for 40 years and I’m certainly not changing my view.”

Meanwhile the SNP defence spokesman said the Parliament “isn’t a game”.

MP Stewart McDonald went on: "The list vote, far from ‘achieving nothing’, got Dave Thomson into Parliament and delivered the first SNP Government.

"Indeed, he himself had a starring role in ensuring the list vote achieved just that."

Meanwhile the party’s longest serving MP Pete Wishart poked fun at the plans. Sharing a story about plans for a new independence party, he said: “Geez! How many are there now? Would give the People’s Front of Judea a bad name …”

Thompson had argued that his party, which will allow small pro-independence parties, organisations and individuals to unite and contest the regional list seats, is the effective way to achieve a large pro-indy majority at Holyrood.

He said: “Every regional list vote for the SNP will have no impact. It will achieve nothing. Whereas if a lot of these votes came to AFI we can garner a lot of MSPs.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “Talk of splitting the SNP vote will be music to the ears of the Unionists. Those seeking to game the Holyrood proportional electoral system are putting at risk the SNP’s progress.”