Opinion polls have shown that views on the constitution have not meaningfully shifted in the last decade, with most showing narrow support for the Union.
Ms Dugdale and Mr Noon’s paper, produced by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy, said that a “higher threshold” than “50 per cent plus one” support for independence among the public would be required to trigger a new vote.
However, in any subsequent referendum, this would be sufficient for victory for either the Unionist or independence campaigns.
‘Decade of division’
Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tories shadow constitution secretary, said: “Scots are sick and tired of constitutional wrangling after a decade of division caused by the nationalists who have refused to respect the referendum result.
“Pro-UK voters will be dismayed to see a former Scottish Labour leader playing into the hands of those who support independence with what is being suggested.
“They want the focus to be on their real priorities such as reducing record NHS backlogs, growing our economy and keeping communities safe, rather than obsessing over referendums yet again.”
The Scottish Government said it welcomed “all contributions” to the independence debate. A UK government spokesman said its “full focus” was on non-constitutional issues such as the economy.