THE SNP is to lay the ground for a second referendum by reaching out to business and civic society across the rest of the UK in the hope of detoxifying independence.

Angus Robertson, the party’s Westminster leader, has ordered his MPs to conduct “outreach planning for the rest of the UK” over the summer in order to build trust and forge alliances with organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish republic.

The strategy is to establish the SNP’s bona fides outwith Scotland and convince stakeholders that independence would not threaten the other home nations.

A party source admitted there had been a failure to persuade civic society outside Scotland last year, resulting in unhelpful hostility towards independence across the political spectrum.

The outreach plan is designed “to foster a more benign view of the SNP so that, as when there is another referendum, there could be a different response,” the source said.

“It would show the rest of the UK that it could be positive to work with the SNP in the meantime, and work with an independent Scotland in the future.”

Although the SNP has not scheduled a second referendum, Nicola Sturgeon has not ruled out including one in next year’s SNP manifesto for Holyrood, and has said a “material change” in circumstances, such as an EU exit opposed by Scottish voters, could trigger one.

Labour and the Conservatives said the SNP ought to concentrate on fixing problems with public services in Scotland instead of swaggering around south of the border.

The push into new territory has been made possible by the SNP’s unprecedented numbers at Westminster, allowing it to focus on many English, Welsh and Irish issues for the first time.

Its 56 MPs have been assigned to a wide-ranging series of “policy groups”, covering subjects such as the economy, defence, foreign affairs, Europe and the constitution.

In a letter to his group yesterday, Mr Robertson said: “We have an unprecedented opportunity to build links and promote understanding in England, Wales and Ireland, both north and south.

“There is a real appetite across the Home Nations to learn more about the significant political changes happening in Scotland.

“There is also tremendous goodwill towards the SNP and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

“The SNP has much to say at Westminster which is relevant to our friends and neighbours in the other Home Nations and the English regions, including our opposition to austerity, promotion of better transport links and sustainable economic growth.”

Mr Robertson said examples of the outreach work might include SNP MPs “speaking with the Chamber of Commerce in Leeds about transport links and HS2, or the business community in Newcastle, or the trades council in Cardiff.”

In a media briefing, he denied the SNP was now a unionist party, and said: “There is an opportunity to embrace a new relationship between the nations and regions of these islands... that will allow us in Scotland to have the sovereignty we in the 56 want to see, but also takes a close look at what is important for our neighbours and friends.

“I think it opens up the opportunity of a better understanding of where we want to get to.”

The pan-UK approach is also a clear sign the SNP has dropped its self-denying ordinance not to vote on English-only legislation.

Referring to the Government this week delaying a vote on foxhunting in England after SNP opposition, an SNP source said: “The lesson of the foxhunting vote is that the SNP at Westminster is pushing the boundaries. We won’t vote on absolutely everything that comes forward. But will we be voting on more things than in the past? Yes.”

Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “In recent days we have seen the looming GP crisis in Scotland exposed, reports of cuts to the number of maternity beds in Glasgow, and the shambles in the police service.

“Instead of playing political games, people in Scotland would rather the SNP spent more of their time fixing the mess they have made of our public services."

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont added: “It’s for the voters to judge whether SNP politicians should stand up for Scotland or stand up for Scunthorpe.”