logo
SNP minister: Swinney has discussed indyref2 with Starmer

SNP minister: Swinney has discussed indyref2 with Starmer

The row comes on the eve of a major speech by the First Minister on independence - a subject he has been accused of keeping "off the radar" by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking on June 3 after a visit to Glasgow to launch the UK's defence review, Sir Keir said the First Minister was not discussing holding a second independence referendum with him.
READ MORE:
'Swinney should resign as SNP leader - disaster looms next year', warns grandee
Analysis: Swinney prepares SNP for long road to independence
Swinney risks SNP backlash over independence strategy
Starmer: Swinney hasn't asked me about new independence vote
The Prime Minister was asked if he could imagine another independence referendum during his time as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir said: "No, and nobody's raising that with me as their first priority. Certainly, in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister, that is not - we're talking about jobs, energy, security, and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis."
But speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, Ms Martin said the matter had been discussed.
The presenter put it to the senior minister that Mr Swinney had not broached the subject of a second independence referendum with the Prime Minister.
"If he hasn't asked [for a new referendum], how does he expect to achieve", she was pressed.
Ms Martin replied: "I would imagine that the First Minister has broached that subject with the Prime Minister."
Last month Mr Swinney said a "democratic majority" of pro-independence MSPs following the next Scottish Parliament election should result in another referendum.
But in the same interview on June 3, the Prime Minister said whatever the outcome next May, an independence referendum is "not a priority".
Scots voted in an independence referendum in 2014, with the No side securing 55% of the vote. Successive UK governments have denied the SNP's requests for a second referendum.
Since coming into office last year the First Minister has been pretty quiet on his party's founding goal.
He scrapped Ms Sturgeon's Building a New Scotland series, documents aimed at updating the 2014 independence prospectus and axed the post of independence minister from government.
Back in January, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared that independence was "off the radar" - a claim swiftly rejected by Mr Swinney.
In July last year, during her appearance as a pundit on ITV's general election programme, Ms Sturgeon blamed a lack of focus on independence for the SNP's general election defeat, when it dropped from 48 Westminster seats to nine.
She said that the SNP 'left themselves between two stools on the independence question', adding that placing the constitution on the front page of the party's manifesto 'was never followed through on a sort of day-to-day basis in the campaign'.
In his post election speech, Mr Swinney seemed to suggest the problem was that the SNP had failed to persuading people why the party believed independence was needed.
He said that the SNP had 'failed to convince people of the urgency of independence in this election campaign', adding: 'Therefore, we need to take the time to consider and to reflect on how we deliver our commitment to independence, which remains absolute.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scottish pensioners to get ‘at least the same' winter fuel payment as England
Scottish pensioners to get ‘at least the same' winter fuel payment as England

Telegraph

time11 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

Scottish pensioners to get ‘at least the same' winter fuel payment as England

Pensioners in Scotland are to receive at least the same winter fuel payment as those in England, John Swinney has promised. The First Minister previously said that all Scottish pensioners would receive a payment of at least £100 ahead of the 2025-26 winter, regardless of their wealth. But in a big reversal last week, Rachel Reeves said all pensioners in England and Wales with an income below £35,000 a year would receive a higher sum. The Chancellor announced that households with a pensioner aged under 80 would get £200, while those with someone over 80 would get £300. However, those with an income of more than £35,000 would receive nothing. The announcement prompted Labour to demand that Mr Swinney review his plan to ensure that 'no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket'. The First Minister used a speech on public service reform and preventative public health measures on Monday to confirm Scottish pensioners would not receive less than their English counterparts. However, he failed to provide further details. Speaking in Glasgow, Mr Swinney said: 'Keeping the winter fuel payment looks after our pensioners, but it also looks after our NHS. That is the sharp financial reality of the prevention principle in action. It is one of the reasons we were so quick to step in to protect pensioners in Scotland as best we could from that wrong decision by the UK Government. 'And now they have seen the error of their ways, my government will once again do right by Scotland's pensioners. I'm very happy to confirm today that no pensioner in Scotland will receive less than they would under the new UK scheme. 'Details will be set out in due course by my government, but the Scottish Government will always seek to do what is best for Scotland's pensioners.' Asked to confirm whether pensioners with income of more than £35,000 would still receive £100 in Scotland, he said further details would be revealed 'in due course'. But Liz Smith, the Scottish Tories' shadow social security secretary, said: 'The SNP followed shameful Labour's lead in axing universal winter fuel payments last year. 'And, like Keir Starmer, the Nationalists have been forced into a humiliating U-turn because of the huge public backlash. If cutting fuel payments to pensioners was the false economy John Swinney now claims it was, why did he copy Labour by ditching it in Scotland?' The Labour Government announced last July the introduction of a means-tested cap to the payment for pensioners in England and Wales. This meant that millions of pensioners were no longer eligible. Although control over the benefit is devolved, Mr Swinney argued that he had no choice but to follow suit as the cut south of the border led to a £147 million reduction in the SNP Government's funding through the Barnett formula. The payment of between £100 and £300 went to 130,000 Scottish pensioners in receipt of pension credit and other means-tested benefits last winter – 900,000 fewer than the previous year. Mr Swinney then used the record Budget settlement the SNP Government received from the Chancellor to announce that all pensioners would receive a payment of at least £100 ahead of the 2025-26 winter. Only those on certain means-tested benefits were scheduled to receive a higher amount of either £200 or £300, depending on whether they were aged over 80. Ms Reeves used last week's spending review to hand the Scottish Government an extra £9.1 billion over the next three years. A UK Government spokesman said: 'It is right that support for fuel costs is targeted. 'The Scottish Government will receive an uplift in their funding to support pensioners this winter.'

Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter
Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter

Glasgow Times

time19 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter

The letter, sent out by the head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, detailed that the use of a 'union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and later states that the children have been spoken to about the incident. Councillors and MSPs in the area have criticised the letter, saying, "Questions will be asked." Now, the council has spoken out over the incident after confirming that the letter was genuine. A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. 'We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.' Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Politicians hit out over primary school's 'outrageous' union flag letter READ MORE: Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan urging rethink as city 'deserves much better' READ MORE: Inside the life of rare bird family nesting in Glasgow University tower Earlier today, Councillor Andrew Morrison spoke with the Glasgow Times. He said: "Many of you have expressed alarm regarding this communication, which has been doing the rounds. "Regrettably, it is a genuine letter - its content is so outrageous you could be forgiven for thinking it's a spoof. "This is the flag of our country, and it is a flag the Council flies itself officially to mark ceremonies during the year, not as often as I'd like personally. "If school isn't a place to learn the meaning of Union flag, then where is? "Being British is core to our nationhood. That is a simple fact. It must not be airbrushed out in this manner. "Questions will be asked." Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay took to social media to share his anger, he posted: "This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. "Our country's flag is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'." This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. 👇 Our country's flag 🇬🇧 is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'. — Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) June 16, 2025 The letter states that the children involved were spoken to about 'using images without permission', 'the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people', and 'their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. MSP for Eastwood and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has also hit out, he said: "I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". "Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. "Having spoken with a senior official at East Renfrewshire Council this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution and retraction. "As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. "Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many." I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with… — Jackson Carlaw (@Jackson_Carlaw) June 16, 2025 The Glasgow Times understands that details of the flag, its design or what it looked like have not been shared.

Politicians hit out over Barrhead school's union flag letter
Politicians hit out over Barrhead school's union flag letter

Glasgow Times

time19 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Politicians hit out over Barrhead school's union flag letter

East Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that the letter, which was sent out by the head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, is genuine. The letter details that the use of a 'union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and later states that the children have been spoken to about the incident. Councillors and MSPs in the area have now criticised the letter, saying, "Questions will be asked." Councillor Andrew Morrison spoke with the Glasgow Times. He said: "Many of you have expressed alarm regarding this communication, which has been doing the rounds. "Regrettably, it is a genuine letter - its content is so outrageous you could be forgiven for thinking it's a spoof. "This is the flag of our country, and it is a flag the Council flies itself officially to mark ceremonies during the year, not as often as I'd like personally. "If school isn't a place to learn the meaning of Union flag, then where is? "Being British is core to our nationhood. That is a simple fact. It must not be airbrushed out in this manner. "Questions will be asked." READ MORE: Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan urging rethink as city 'deserves much better' READ MORE:Inside the life of rare bird family nesting in Glasgow University tower READ MORE:Mack rebuild 'at risk' from 02 ABC plan says Glasgow School of Art Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay took to social media to share his anger, he posted: "This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. "Our country's flag is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'." This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. 👇 Our country's flag 🇬🇧 is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'. — Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) June 16, 2025 The letter states that the children involved were spoken to about 'using images without permission', 'the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people', and 'their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. MSP for Eastwood and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has also hit out, he said: "I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". "Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. "Having spoken with a senior official at East Renfrewshire Council this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution and retraction. "As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. "Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many." I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with… — Jackson Carlaw (@Jackson_Carlaw) June 16, 2025 The Glasgow Times understands that details of the flag, its design or what it looked like have not been shared. A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. 'We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store