Latest news with #IndyRef
STV News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- STV News
SNP playing 'old tune' on independence, says Slater
John Swinney is playing an 'old tune' on independence, Scottish Green leadership candidate Lorna Slater has said. First Minister John Swinney said on Monday that an SNP majority at next year's Scottish Parliament election should be enough to secure a second vote on independence, as it was for the first IndyRef in 2014. Slater, who launched her campaign for re-election as party co-leader in Edinburgh on Wednesday, said she does not expect an SNP majority next May. The former Scottish Government minister accused Swinney of being 'a little disingenuous'. 'This is an old tune that the SNP have been playing,' she said. 'There are several pro-independence parties in the Scottish Parliament – the Greens have been there all along, from the beginning. 'We had a successful pro-independence majority with the Bute House Agreement that the SNP decided to end.' Slater said it is up to those who believe in independence to 'build support' for it. She said politicians should do that by setting out what independence looks like and why it's important. 'Scottish independence would allow us to build a compassionate asylum system, it would allow us to rejoin the EU, it would allow us to rethink our taxation of wealth, for example,' Slater said. 'Instead of waiting, waiting, waiting for the Government in Westminster to decide what to do, we could make those kinds of decisions here in Scotland, and that's how we win Scottish independence, by getting more people to share that vision.' SNP MSP Keith Brown said independence was the only change that would work for Scotland. 'We will set out an ambitious and radical vision for Scotland's future – showing that with independence we can use our immense energy resources to raise living standards, power Scotland's economy and transform public services,' he said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Donald Trump speaks on Scottish independence after John Swinney announces referendum plan
Keir Starmer said "I think the UK is always stronger as four nations" after John Swinney used his Daily Record column to announce his IndyRef2 strategy. Donald Trump has played down the prospect of a second referendum on Scottish independence and warned "a country can't go through that too much" The US President joined Keir Starmer for a press conference at the Turnberry Hotel in South Ayrshire today where he was asked about John Swinney's plans for an IndyRef. The SNP leader used his regular column in the Daily Record to reveal his party must win an outright majority of MSPs at Holyrood to secure another vote on Scotland's constitutional future. Trump initially quipped "I don't want to get involved in your politics - we've got enough politics of our own" but then offered his opinion on whether the 2014 referendum was a once in a generation event. He told reporters at his five star hotel: "I don't want to get involved in your politics, we've got enough politics of our own. What I will say, I predicted what was going to happen the last time, you remember? I was opening the first course over at Aberdeen, and I was over here, and they asked me that question. It was the day before the vote, and I like to be correct, but I made a correct prediction. "When they made that deal, somebody said 'could they do this all the time?'. There was a little bit of a restriction, like something like 50 or 75 years before you could take another vote. Because a country can't go through that too much. "I don't know the First Minister but I've heard great things about him, I've spoken to him, I hear very good things about him, and I'm meeting him today, so maybe I'll have a better opinion then. Keir Starmer also dismissed the idea of another independence referendum. Speaking alongside the President, the Prime Minister added: "Let me answer that straightforwardly, because I believe in a stronger Scotland, in a better United Kingdom. At a time like this, it's quite clear, when there's uncertainty and volatility around the world, the strength of the United Kingdom together is very important for all four nations, and it's very important for Scotland. That should be our priority, that should be our focus - and not on the politics of yesteryear, at a time like this. "I think the First Minister should probably focus more on his delivery in Scotland than on his constitutional issues, and we might have a better health service in Scotland. "At a time like this, I think the UK is always stronger as four nations, and that's better for all four nations."
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Best strategy for SNP would driving down waiting lists and reviving public services
The First Minister says the precedent exists and Westminster would be obliged to accede to the SNP's demands. The problem with Swinney's announcement in the Record is that it again focuses on process. About half of the population backs independence and the SNP is the main political party supporting this policy. So it is only right that the SNP produces a plan for how it intends to deliver an objective shared by many Scots. Recent years have seen the SNP lose credibility among some supporters on this front. Nicola Sturgeon promised IndyRef2 on several occasions but a referendum never materialised. She even tried to introduce a referendum over the heads of Westminster but was thwarted in the courts. John Swinney's intervention clarifying what he sees as the mechanism for another IndyRef is therefore understandable. He says an outright SNP majority, as was achieved in 2011, should be the trigger for a referendum. The First Minister says the precedent exists and Westminster would be obliged to accede to the SNP's demands. The problem with Swinney's announcement in the Record is that it again focuses on process. Talking of the requirement for an SNP majority is bold but it overlooks the reasons for his party's poor poll rating compared with the Sturgeon era. Public support for independence will only increase if voters are satisfied with the performance of the Scottish Government. But on the NHS, schools and local government, a chunk of the public sees the SNP as presiding over failure and stagnation. The best independence strategy for the SNP would be to drive down waiting lists and lead a revival in public services. No opinion poll in recent years has shown the SNP on course for an overall majority at Holyrood. They have to sort out their record in government before voters will give them a hearing on independence. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Vapes an escape A study shows teenage vapers and smokers have higher rates of depression and anxiety than other youngsters. It is not clear if using addictive substances causes poor mental health or it's what young people turn to when they feel they need something to help. But the extensive study shows a clear association with vaping and smoking and mental health issues. The authors have concluded that offering young people support to deal with depression and anxiety is crucial. When we see teens vaping and smoking, it may not be rebellion but a symptom io someone struggling to cope. It is vital young people get the support they need so they don't need to turn to any form of addiction to deal with the challenges of life.
