
Here's why John Swinney should ask Keir Starmer for a Section 30 now
READ MORE: John Swinney needs to understand socialism and independence are inseparable
They should ask the Prime Minister for a Section 30 Order to hold a referendum on the same day as the Holyrood 2026 election to fulfil the mandate won at the previous [[Holyrood]] election that produced a majority pro-independence parliament.
It is not clear if the current SNP First Minister has even asked for this. Now is the time.
If Keir Starmer turns this down, as he no doubt will, the First Minister should inform him that he will fight the [[Holyrood]] 2026 election as an election for independence.
Every independence-supporting party will be encouraged to put 'for Scottish independence' under their party logo to maximise the vote for [[Scottish independence]].
READ MORE: Jonathan Shafi: No referendum is coming. Let's drop the 'Yes' and refocus
A majority of votes cast for independence-supporting parties would then constitute a win for Scottish independence.
The Scottish electorate will fully know what they are getting into, and can back this route for the dissolution of the Union.
What happens next will be crucial.
The winning independence side should then (if they have not already done so) encourage leaders of sympathetic nations to openly congratulate Scotland on winning its independence to build pressure on the Westminster government to concede. The First Minister should then call for a government of national unity at [[Holyrood]] to prepare Scotland for the transition to independence and negotiate the withdrawal from the UK.
If Westminster wants to avoid any constitutional crisis, it should agree to the mandated independence referendum.
Otherwise any perceived constitutional crisis will be entirely of their own making.
Patrick Johnstone
Rhu
IN his 'renewed strategy for independence' launched in The National on July 18, John Swinney talks of turning the heat up on [[Westminster]] over Scotland's right to choose. That right to choose should be the basis of our manifesto offer in 2026, as has been proposed by myself and others.
What is missing from John's 'renewed strategy' is any commitment to taking any definite action in pursuit of his stated aim of letting the Scottish people exercise their right to choose. A campaign built around Scotland's right to choose requires what Peter A Bell recently described as 'a solid commitment to specific action within a defined timeframe.' Without such a commitment, John's 'renewed strategy', rather than turning the heat up on Westminster, would, as many have said, be regarded as nothing but more hot air.
READ MORE: Can we return to the ambition and drive that took us so close in 2014?
My recent letters to The National are aimed at promoting the action that should be the first step in either exercising that right to choose in any referendum or gaining the decisive level of support that would be required for a future election to be the democratic event that can lead to independence. Getting a mandate from the 2026 election on a manifesto pledge to bring forward in the first year a bill at Holyrood 'to assume the responsibility for constitutional affairs as directed by the people of Scotland' will be just such an action.
The Newington branch of the [[SNP]] has submitted, for annual conference in October, a resolution titled Manifesto for Scotland's Right to Decide. This motion asks conference to agree: firstly, that seeking a Section 30 order from the UK Government to hold a referendum on Scotland's constitutional future undermines Scotland's sovereign right to decide; and secondly, that sovereignty lies with the Scottish people, not [[Westminster]]. The final paragraph reads: 'Therefore, conference agrees that the [[SNP]] shall put in their manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, that if a majority of [[SNP]] and other pro-independence MSPs are returned to [[Holyrood]] in 2026, they will bring forward a bill to assume responsibility for constitutional affairs as directed by the people of Scotland. This will include the right to hold referendums on increased powers and independence – driven by the will of the people.'
Considerable pressure, applied both from within the SNP and from the wider independence movement, may well be required to see this commitment get on the agenda for conference and then, hopefully, adopted as our principal manifesto offer for 2026.
Mike Wallace
Edinburgh
INTERNATIONAL relations is as multifaceted as any other human activity one cares to mention. The outcomes and the consequences can shatter and reshape and involve everyone, even those who think they wear their political disengagement on their sleeves.
Political theatre, like all performative activities, can entertain, can elicit applause, indifference or even derision. However, when the stage is international it is always consequential.
Like it or not, Donald Trump heads up what is – for now at least – the planet's only military hegemon. He is also, thanks to the inactivity of Scottish and UK governments of every stripe, a landowner.
READ MORE: 'Epstein Island' sign put up at Donald Trump's Scottish golf course
The diplomatic snub is as much part of the political tool box as war and dialogue, and I can think of some instances, particularly in recent years, when it has been underused by Scottish and most certainly UK governments.
A decision in the summer of 2025 to diplomatically snub the head of the world's military hegemon would almost certainly be consequential, and not in a good way.
Bill Ramsay
via email

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Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Man becomes first Donald Trump protester arrested over ‘offensive sign' during President's visit to Scotland
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLICE arrested a man for alleged abusive behaviour moments after Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday. The US President, 79, touched down at Prestwick Airport aboard Air Force One at around 8.30pm for his five-day private visit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A man became the first Donald Trump protester to be arrested over an 'offensive sign' Credit: Getty 4 He was nicked by cops moments after the US President arrived in Scotland Credit: EPA 4 It happened while hundreds flocked to the Mound to watch Air Force One land at Prestwick Airport Credit: AP Mr Trump eventually surfaced at 8.40pm at the door of the aircraft, waving to the crowds, and was then welcomed by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray. The Republican chief was then whisked to his luxury Turnberry resort 20 miles down the Ayrshire coast, where he has been spotted playing golf over the weekend. But moments after Mr Trump's specially customised Boeing 747-200B jets landed, police arrested a man for alleged abusive behaviour. The man, aged 20, was next to the military airport in Ayrshire where Air Force One landed, holding a large sign. Witnesses have claimed that the writing on the placard had an offensive slur on it that was directed at Mr Trump. It is understood that the alleged incident unfolded in the Mound viewing point, which is close to Prestwick Airport. This is where a large crowd of people gathered to catch the iconic aircraft landing. A large number of officers were in the area at the time. One local said they heard a shout moments after the aircraft landed on the tarmac and saw police put the man in handcuffs. They added: "It all happened really quickly". Donald Trump tees off at luxury Turnberry course during Scots visit Officers confirmed that the man was arrested "for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop". They also issued him with a recorded police warning. Hundreds of Scots gathered to watch as the president of the free world arrived on Friday. Mr Trump spoke to members of the media after disembarking the plane, and hailed 007 legend Sir Sean Connery for helping him build his golf courses. He wasted no time in name-dropping the acting legend as he stepped off the flight from the States. Mr Trump said Connery, from Edinburgh, helped him get the permits for the two courses at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire that he will visit this week. The new course will be named after his mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis. He said: 'There's no place like Turnberry. It's the best course in the world. 'My son is going to cut a ribbon for the second course in Aberdeen. 'We love you, Trump' DONALD Trump was seen blowing kisses to to supporters this morning as he teed off for a second round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort. Three hardy Trump fans from Liverpool gathered on the dunes near the course today and shouted 'We Love you Trump' as he left the third green. Kay English, 38, said she and hubby Tom had travelled from England to show the President that he was loved by people in the UK. The pair wore 'Make England Great Again' caps modelled on the MAGA design and waved a Stars and Stripes. They held up a crude banner mocking Sir Keir Starmer which Mr Trump tried to read from the course. Kay said: "I shouted 'We love you, Trump' because I want him to realise those protests against him are the minority. "I was so happy that he blew me a kiss. I like him because he stands for the people, unlike our politicians." Mr Trump began his round around 10.45am with an entourage of 27 golf buggies following on behind him. The President was also joined by his son Eric again this morning on the Ailsa course. His other son Donald Trump Jr was also spotted on the course. The President always played first but appeared to be struggling with the brisk wind. He had to play out of a bunker on the fourth but was able to pitch from the sand in one shot. 'Sean Connery helped get me the permits, if it wasn't for Sean Connery we wouldn't have those great courses.' Despite the arrest, many Trump fans descended on the spot close to the runway from Friday morning to wait for his arrival. One supporter waved a Make America Great Again flag, while another man wore a cap with the tongue-in-cheek message Scotland Is Already Great emblazoned on it. Some youngsters were also seen sporting Mr Trump's signature red MAGA hat. The airport area was under heavy security, with scores of cops keeping a close eye on the crowds. Police snipers also stood watch on Prestwick's air traffic control tower and a scaffold platform close to where the Commander in Chief disembarked the iconic modified Boeing 747. Mr Trump's visit is expected to last until Tuesday, July 29. The President is also scheduled to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip. A massive £5million security operation has been rolled out to ensure his safety, with around 6,000 police officers drafted in from across the UK to support the efforts. We previously told how police and security services assessed fears that Mr Trump could be assassinated during his visit to Scotland after he survived an attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. David Threadgold, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said "a huge amount of threat assessment and intelligence gathering' took place ahead of the visit.

The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Protesters to slam SNP's £180,000 cash award to Trump golf course
A 'festival of resistance' is set to be held near [[Donald Trump]]'s Aberdeenshire golf course on Monday afternoon. The protest at The White Horse Inn, Balmedie, Aberdeen, is close to the Trump International Scotland golf resort and organisers said they object to the Scottish Government giving it £180,000 in public cash for the Nexo Championship next month. READ MORE: America reacts to The National's viral front page Organiser of Stop Trump Scotland, Alena Ivanova, said: 'As Donald Trump is expected to arrive at his Aberdeenshire golf course, residents and protesters are gathering in Balmedie from 3pm to continue the festival of resistance. 'This message is to Donald Trump but also our elected leaders preparing to meet him: there is no place for Trumpism in Scotland. 'They need to stand up to him instead of kowtowing to this bully – including by handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayer money for a golf tournament hosted at Trump International even while he attempts to bully us with tariffs. 'In the vicinity of the golf course people will be making noise and using creative props to bring the message as close to home as possible – Donald Trump is not welcome here.' John Swinney's announcement over the weekend that Trump's golf resort would get thousands from public coffers was met with fury by opponents. READ MORE: Donald Trump meets EU head Ursula Von Leyden Scottish Green leader Patrick Harvie said: 'This shames Scotland. It's an embarrassing attempt to please a bully and shows the same craven attitude as [[Keir Starmer]]. We should be standing in solidarity with the people on the receiving end of [[Donald Trump]]'s regime. "John Swinney had a choice to make. He could have stood up for the values of democracy and human rights. But instead he folded at the first test and used hundreds of thousands of pounds of our money to appease a far right billionaire fraudster.'

The National
2 hours ago
- The National
TikToker hits 3m views praising National's Trump front page
TikTok user Hal_for_NY said Friday's splash, timed to coincide with the president's arrival in Scotland for the opening of a new golf course and meetings with Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Layen, was 'amazing'. The clip has been viewed 3.1 million times and racked up more than 549,000 comments since it was posted on Friday. In the clip, the social media user said: 'Donald Trump is being welcomed to Scotland as a felon and not as a president as his trip is already off to a bad start. "Now, if you didn't know, today Donald Trump is headed to Scotland where he's expected to visit both of his golf courses and celebrate the grand opening of a new golf course, but in preparation for his arrival, Scottish newspaper The National released their front page and it is amazing. Take a look at this: 'Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland'. 'Yeah, not president of the United States. Heck, they even call him 'Republican leader' instead of president. That is how he's going to be welcomed. On top of that, there are protests at both of his golf courses for his arrival.' The social media user goes on to speculate that Trump would have hoped the trip could have provided a 'distraction' to his domestic woes, as his Maga fanbase turn sour on the president over his refusal to release the so-called Epstein files. The results of historic investigations into paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Trump, are potentially explosive and reportedly name him but much of the material remains classified. (Image: Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images) Trump had said during his election campaign he would be open to releasing more – but has since walked this back, saying the case is closed. He also appeared to have been angered by a recent South Park episode which depicted him as literally getting into bed with Satan and having a tiny penis. The social media user added: 'Donald Trump thought he could get away and have a bit of a distraction. He's got so much going on here between the [Epstein] files that he's not releasing, the South Park episode. (Image: Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images) 'He's not having exactly the time he wants here, so he thought maybe in Scotland he can get away from this and get a distraction. Instead, he's getting the welcome that he so richly deserves. Well done.' It also featured in a video from the popular MeidasTouch YouTube channel which has received 1.6m views. The front page has spread like wildfire in Scotland, the UK and US, with anti-Trump Americans expressing their joy on social media at seeing the president exposed in the media.