THE first national canvass of the working-class voters regarded as critical to the outcome of the independence referendum will take place next week, as the Yes side ramps up its efforts to win over traditional Labour supporters.

The Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) hopes to knock on 10,000 doors in 40 communities from Dumfries to Lerwick next Sunday.

The aim is threefold: gauge support for Yes in working-class areas, promote its message, and encourage people to register to vote.

Although recent polls show support for a Yes is already highest in working-class areas - among the so-called C2DE socio-economic groups - the same people are also the least likely to vote, with low voter registration.

A new Survation poll for the Better Nation blog this week found 52% of Labour voters already trust Holyrood most to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland, against 22% who put their faith primarily in Westminster.

Trust in Holyrood is only higher among SNP supporters, at 82% compared to 4% for Westminster, while for LibDems it is 48% to 25%.

In stark contrast, 58% of Tory voters trust Westminster most, and just 20% favour Holyrood.

RIC, which advocates independence as a means to radical left-wing social and economic change, has held local canvass operations in deprived urban areas such as Easterhouse, Drumchapel and Castlemilk in Glasgow since February.

Its flyers state "Britain is for the rich, Scotland can be ours", and link the UK to high infant mortality, poverty pay, inequality and "the least happy children in the developed world". The Conservatives say the material is based on "hatred", while Labour call it "appalling".

RIC also organised the recent demonstration against Nigel Farage when the Ukip leader visited Edinburgh.

Although next week's canvass will focus on the central belt, it will also cover towns and villages further afield in the Highlands and Borders, such as Ullapool, Elgin and Hawick.

Organiser Jonathon Shafi said RIC canvassers had met large numbers of people in housing estates who felt ignored by politicians and who welcomed discussing their concerns on a one-to-one basis.

He said: "The mood is shifting in communities all over Scotland. As the debate is developing more people are realising the opportunities that come with breaking from Westminster.

"The Labour party have failed to construct a social justice narrative, and it is RIC who is winning out in areas left behind by the establishment."

Glasgow canvasser Keira McLean said: "For me the referendum isn't just about yes or no, it's about giving forgotten communities a voice. We need to talk to people and encourage the communities ignored by Westminster to vote."

Myshele Haywood, from Aberdeen, said: "I hope these days of action raise awareness that the referendum is about ordinary people, not just celebrities and politicians."

RIC is not part of the official Yes Scotland campaign, but does have supporters within it. Writer and musician Pat Kane, a member of the Yes Scotland board, said: "RIC is performing one of the most vital tasks of the referendum - making sure that working-class areas of Scotland are fully registered to vote on September 18, and motivated to do so for a Yes victory."

Playwright Allan Bissett said: "Radical Independence have been doing great work getting those not on the electoral roll - those most alienated by the elitism and economic brutality of the British state - to register and vote."

James Mackenzie of Better Nation said: "We know Labour voters already overwhelmingly trust Holyrood more, and the campaign needs to focus on them if the referendum is to be won.

"The SNP approach - trying to win both the referendum and the election after it - risks jeopardising a Yes result by confusing specific policy with the transfer of powers. If the broader Yes campaign makes it clear the referendum is a choice between voting for Holyrood and voting for Westminster, which it is, then Yes can win and win comfortably."

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "We are confident that the majority of Scots agree with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and JK Rowling that we are better together and will proudly vote No on September 18th."