A former Scottish cabinet secretary criticises the SNP’s leadership approach to winning independence, arguing that it is focused too heavily on procedural questions rather than building public support. In comments reported by the Evening Standard, the ex-minister says the party should concentrate on how to persuade people to back independence, describing the current approach at Holyrood as a “debate about process.” The former minister also suggests the SNP leadership lacks a clear strategy for achieving independence. The Belfast Telegraph echoes the same overall message, presenting the criticism as questioning the SNP leadership’s ability to deliver a path to independence. Across both reports, the disagreement centres on what the SNP prioritises—whether efforts should concentrate on garnering support for independence or on internal and institutional arrangements. Neither source provides detailed policy proposals or new evidence about a specific timetable, vote mechanism, or polling changes, focusing instead on the former minister’s assessment of the party’s direction and messaging.