Alex Salmond has said the SNP will "reap the whirlwind" if an independence referendum is not delivered by the end of 2023.
The former First Minister and leader of the Alba Party told the Record his party was focussing on the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026.
Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a second constitutional vote in the later half of next year.
Salmond warned that his former party would be hit politically if the promise was not delivered.
He said: "This is going to turn in what happens with the referendum. We've been pressing for the referendum, we've been bringing independence to the fore.
"If the promise is fulfilled and if the referendum is delivered next year then we'll unite behind, we'll follow the other 'yes' forces, the 'yes' campaign.
"But if it isn't fulfilled and it's not delivered then the SNP will reap the whirlwind at the next Scottish elections, because there is lots and lots of people in Scotland impatient to have that test and want to see it happen.
"If it doesn't happen then there is going to be political consequences."
At the time of writing Alba had failed to get any councillors elected across Scotland.
Brian Topping in Aberdeenshire was a big hope for the independence party however he lost out on a seat by 46 votes to the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Fraserburgh and District ward.
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