WEST Dunbartonshire Council’s SNP leader has warned it would be “folly” to call for another independence referendum until the country is clear it wants one.

Councillor Jonathon McColl spoke after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon vowed to “protect” Scotland from a potentially harsh Brexit by holding another referendum before plans are set in motion to remove the UK from the European Union.

She announced plans to reveal a new independence bill for consultation this week.

She said: “I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence – and to do so before the UK leaves the EU – if that is necessary to protect our country’s interests.”

However, Cllr McColl assured the party’s leader was “doing everything she can to keep the door opened”.

He said:“I think the people of West Dunbartonshire, while perhaps understandably suffering from some ballot box fatigue with all the elections we’ve had, will support another referendum and once again vote yes; next time in even greater numbers.

“But the vote we had must be respected. We have some way to go to persuade other areas to support our campaign and until it’s clear that Scotland wants a referendum and is ready to vote yes, it would be folly to try and call one.

“There are many options out there and our First Minister is doing everything she can to keep the door opened.”

But the SNP have been met with backlash since Ms Sturgeon made the announcement during the party’s annual conference in Glasgow’s SECC, with critics claiming they are avoiding the real issues at hand by setting their sights on independence.

Labour MSP for Dumbarton Jackie Bailie said: “Nicola Sturgeon could have used her opening speech to talk about improving our schools, fixing the problems in our health service or tackling poverty.

“The SNP should focus on the day job of governing Scotland but instead they want to reopen old wounds by holding a second divisive referendum. Two million Scots voted to reject independence only two years ago.”

“We voted to stay in the UK. The SNP told us that the referendum would settle the issue for a ‘generation’ and they should keep their word.”

Her thoughts have been echoed by the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Martin Rooney, who claimed there was “no real appetite” for a further trip to the polls.

He added: “A second independence referendum would not change the fact that we are better off as part of our economic union with the rest of the UK where we pool and share resources and mitigate risk.

“Talk of a second independence referendum creates uncertainty for business and families and is a distraction from the real job of improving the quality of life and opportunities for our citizens.”

However, Clydebank’s MSP Gil Paterson has welcomed the news: “Many people I have spoken to who voted no in the 2014 independence in Clydebank and Milngavie are paying more attention to Scotland becoming an independent country following the Brexit vote.

“We should not take anything for granted, but more are weighing up their options.

But the option for independence may have to be taken off the table, as Prime Minister Theresa May has quashed plans for a further vote before they begun. Ms May’s spokesman told The Telegraph: “There was a referendum in 2014 that addressed this issue that was legal and fair. The result was decisive and both parties agreed at the time to respect it."