I’VE been worried about the independence movement for some time – worried because I want it to succeed, and worried because it has felt as if it’s been going nowhere, and arguments were neither changing nor being won.

The Yes movement, which in 2014 was vibrant, optimistic and positive, has become typified by marching and shouting. There’s a sense that it has degenerated into a 21st century Grand Old Duke of York. People parade around towns waving Saltires, but to what avail? Who’s being convinced? Which minds are being changed?

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Even worse than the gesture politics of pointless parades is the dominance of ugly voices among the grassroots. It’s as if the tide went out after the first referendum – taking with it the upbeat, the persuasive, the intelligent, the charismatic – leaving behind the abusive, the vulgar, the reactionary, the dumb.

Instead of the broad spectrum of informed voices and big ideas of 2014, we’re left with well-meaning marchers going nowhere, and internet trolls in their basements.

Many of the problems stem from the vacuum left after defeat in 2014 – the base wanted to keep on, but the SNP leadership chose slow, pragmatic, managerial politics. Who’d blame them? The SNP is a political party which wants to win office. It had to keep throwing red meat to the base with cries of “indy is coming”, while trying to maintain electoral appeal beyond independence voters.

The Herald:

There are five key issues the Yes movement must look to it if hopes to win independence well. The first is the tone of debate. Before the last referendum, many voters inherently distrustful of nationalism were brought over to Yes because it seemed open and embracing, it offered an alternative to failed Westminster. Progressives and centrists, and even some on the right, found a comfortable home as Yes voters. There was still a brittle, nasty online presence but it seemed of little intellectual importance.

However, today, it appears as if this shrill minority is the dominant voice. The table seating needs readjusting if there’s to be success. Put these petulant “shouty” people at the back of the room.

This isn’t about silencing voices, they are free to say what they please, but those in leadership positions must speak up against this fringe which repels those considering a Yes vote. Stop following these people on social media, stop amplifying their nasty messages – especially if you’re in elected office.

Which takes us to our second point – outreach. The Yes movement must once again start chasing voters and not talking to itself. Woo undecideds. Woo Unionists. Woo everyone. Self-congratulatory backslapping does nothing. Waving a Saltire in the face of Unionists won’t win votes. Marching around a town won’t change anyone’s mind.

It’s not just that many in the base of what’s left of the Yes movement aren’t attracting enough new voters to their side, some are wilfully deterring newcomers. The use of the derogatory term “Yoon” (have you ever heard anything so childish?) to describe Unionists is guaranteed to offend and repel. Do some really believe insulting people and laughing at them will convert anyone? If MI5 wanted to cook up an intelligence operation to undermine Scottish independence they could do no better than many of the biggest online voices who claim to back Yes.

A banner was unveiled outside the SNP conference at the weekend saying “England get out of Scotland”. We don’t need those who would try to make independence ugly. Scotland isn’t occupied. England isn’t an enemy. The banner was by a member of Scottish Resistance. Resisting who exactly? English paratroopers over Peebles? Get a life and get out of the way of people who really want to change this country for the better.

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It’s even worse when those not part of the lunatic fringe embarrass. Also at the SNP conference was Dave Thompson, former SNP MSP and chair of Voices for Scotland which is meant to be an “inclusive" Yes campaign group. Mr Thompson used Gaelic and Scots to introduce himself to delegates and added: “Apologies to those who do not have the two proper languages of Scotland.” Really? It may have been a joke, but is this what we want to hear from a party which says it welcomes EU residents?

Thirdly, the Yes movement needs to get real over difficult questions. Voters have been exhausted and terrified by Brexit. The SNP grassroots may want to scrap the pound, but it’s not a policy that’s going to win new Yes voters – it will only scare them. When it comes to independence, undecideds are now worried about trade deals with England and a possible hard border. Brexit has made independence more difficult as it’s raised more questions.

No-one sane wants independence to pile on more division after Brexit. That’s why the creation of Citizens’ Assemblies, to work out the future of Scotland, is a welcome move. Take these big frightening questions directly to the people and to experts and let’s hear the evidence and the truth. Momentous change needs rigorous analysis and adult honesty.

Fourthly, independence is too big for the SNP alone – Scotland is not the SNP’s country, it is the people’s, and Citizens’ Assemblies can help us work out what is in all our best interests when it comes to our constitutional future, rather than in the narrow interests of one party. It must be said over and over again that a Yes vote is not an SNP vote.

I want to see Scotland independent but I want to know the full hard truths before I vote again – and I fervently do not want to see this country divided against itself.

Perhaps, then, the fifth issue is the hardest for many Yes voters to accept – that a mere win in any second referendum is not enough, maybe we need to set ourselves a 60 per cent margin before enacting change. It would be bold, it would ease fears among Unionists, it would show that the Yes movement cares about the country, not just itself, and many may find that appealing and attractive.

Most importantly, do we want Scotland in the wake of a close win for independence – like a 51-49 margin – to go through the pain and hatred Britain has already gone through with Brexit? I want independence – but I do not want that.

Neil Mackay is Scotland’s Columnist of the Year.