ANALYSIS: First Minister still needs to build support for second referendum

Nicola Sturgeon made a very deliberate attempt to strike a consensual tone as she updated Holyrood on her independence plans yesterday.

But she must know that finding consensus on Scotland’s most contentious political issue is nigh on impossible.

As Tory interim leader Jackson Carlaw pointed out, it is difficult to be inclusive about something that is “inherently divisive”.

The reality of Ms Sturgeon’s statement was that it was a balancing act.

She was trying to offer her hardcore support something substantial in terms of new referendum legislation while hedging her bets as the Brexit process continues.

Tellingly, she did not take the step of seeking a Section 30 Order for permission from Westminster.

Presumably this is because she knows Theresa May would knock her back.

For the SNP there remains the hope Jeremy Corbyn might grant a Section 30 should he win in a general election.

There is a more fundamental challenge – she must still build support.

As SNP activists head to Edinburgh for this weekend’s spring conference, expect more rhetoric about persuading those yet to be converted to the cause.

That doesn’t sound much like consensus.