Latest news with #IndyRef2
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
The SNP look knackered & they're clinging on – a second independence referendum is last thing John Swinney wants now
Mr Swinney both wants and doesn't want IndyRef2 - both things are true CHRIS MUSSON The SNP look knackered & they're clinging on – a second independence referendum is last thing John Swinney wants now JOHN Swinney may well be telling the country he wants to style next year's Holyrood election as a referendum on having an independence referendum. But here's a thing. I don't think he is remotely serious about the idea of a re-run of 2014, at least not any time in the next few years. Advertisement 3 First Minister John Swinney Credit: PA 3 Swinney wants next year's Holyrood vote to be a referendum on IndyRef2 Credit: Alamy 3 The Scottish Sun's political guru Chris Musson Credit: Andrew Barr In fact, it's probably one of the last things the First Minister wants right now. It's probably on a list somewhere in the recesses of his mind alongside the nightmare news that Donald Trump loved their dinner so much that he's on his way back to Scotland and asking to play 36 holes with him. Advertisement All of this may sound odd — the idea that the SNP leader says he wants an independence referendum, and at the same time he doesn't. But both can be true. Because we have entered the realm of the Nats talking up the break-up of the UK purely because it's a neat line which helps shore up their core vote and whip up their activists at elections, and not because they have any expectation of actually delivering it. That will doubtless come as a disappointment to the many supporters of independence, but there are many advocates of indy who would agree with me. Bluntly, the SNP look knackered. They are clinging to power, with many in the ranks fearing a day of reckoning on May 7 next year, regardless of currently being ahead in the opinion polls due to Labour's rocky first year in power down south. So, here we are. In case of emergency, break glass and hit the indy button. Advertisement Scotland is being asked to go along with the man known as Honest John — if a tad mockingly — but on this occasion, at least, he's being anything but. I have no doubt Swinney wants independence but he would only want a second referendum when he would be sure to win, and having won, have a chance of not plunging Scotland — utterly dependent on UK pooling and sharing — into economic meltdown. That time is not now. And beneath the bluster, there is no serious plan — not for achieving a referendum, and not for indy itself. John Swinney's Edinburgh show interrupted To win independence, the Nats must do three things. Firstly, govern Scotland so well that people think they are capable of running an independent country. Secondly, they must be up front that it will be extremely hard work. Advertisement Thirdly, they must persuade Scots that hard work will be worth it. At the moment they are a light year away from meeting any of these tests, all of which are linked by the key theme of trust. Salmond got pretty close in 2014, but fell short on the second and third. If and when the tests are met, and opinion polling shows a clear majority of Scots want a referendum imminently, then the UK Government will — politically at least — be unable to say no. But there is no mass clamour now for a referendum. Polls may show support for independence among decided voters is at around 50 per cent, but it's a whole lot easier to say Yes to something when it's entirely hypothetical. Our leaders could learn a thing or two from President Trump DONALD Trump may be deeply disliked by many, but he certainly isn't camera shy. Our governments could learn a thing or two about transparency from the President. As underlined by his visit to Scotland, he has a reporters following him everywhere, who he speaks to often multiple times a day. You may not like his answers, but at least he's willing to be quizzed. Compare that to the petty secrecy from the Scottish Government, who act like guard dogs and tend to keep the Press away from the First Minister, and hide his whereabouts. If the Leader the Free World can face the music on a daily basis, why can't the Leader of a Devolved Scottish Administration? The world has become a far more unstable place in recent years, and the idea that a majority of Scots want a referendum thrown into all that is ridiculous, and Swinney knows it. So, what's he up to? He sees those opinion polls, with support for independence far higher than support for the SNP. Advertisement He wants to persuade activists and voters to act in the same way as they would if there was a realistic prospect of a referendum. He is inviting you into an alternative reality. It's a campaigning device. A trick. A ruse. His desired outcome is three-pronged. Mobilise the SNP base, try to hoover up some of those voters who say they back independence but not the Nats, and distract from the real big picture — not the constitution, but the terrible state of Scotland's public services after what will be 19 years of his party's rule. But the strategy is fraught with pitfalls. Will it mobilise the base? With the best will in the world, I'm not sure even Swinney in his self-styled Full-On John mode can energise the Nats like Salmond or Nicola Sturgeon. Advertisement Will it hoover up some of those pro-indy non-SNP voters? It may. But it may also have an opposite effect, which is to alienate the floating voters who think he's at it, or current SNP backers who don't support independence. And on that distraction technique — it may only serve to sharpen the focus on those failures, if the opposition calls it out. The referendum-on-a-referendum strategy is also a lazy one. It betrays a lack of confidence in campaigning on their track record or vision for Scotland. It shows what a state the SNP are in, behind the bravado of the press releases celebrating being ahead in the opinion polls. They know the lead is precarious and they know they are a long way down on their levels of support at the 2021 election. Advertisement They know independence is as far away as it has been at any point since 2014. Yet Swinney is telling you and telling his tribe that the next election is all about indy. Not only does it show how daft Swinney thinks voters are, but also his own party. It's all about clinging on to power — on the back of a lie.
Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Hardcore Nats want to ‘dissolve the union' if Westminster blocks IndyRef2
They rejected a strategy by the First Minister INDY REBELS Hardcore Nats want to 'dissolve the union' if Westminster blocks IndyRef2 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NATS rebels want MSPs to 'dissolve' the Union if Westminster blocks their path to independence. The hardliners insist talks on a UK split must start if pro-indy parties win a majority of List votes at next May's Holyrood election. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 4 Hardcore Nats reckon the Union should be "dissolved" if pro-Indy parties get a majority of List MSPs Credit: Alamy 4 They rejected John Swinney's strategy Credit: PA 4 Longtime party activist Graeme McCormick is one of the people behind the strategy Credit: Graeme McCormick They have rejected John Swinney's strategy and instead want the party to back their hardline tactic. Mr Swinney said last month that a majority of SNP seats at May's Scottish Parliament election would be a mandate for a second referendum. But the rebel group of 43 branches want Holyrood to begin negotiations on leaving the UK if half of voters back any pro-independence party - meaning the SNP, Scottish Greens, Alba or any other nationalist candidate. If Westminster refuses to acknowledge this approach then Holyrood should immediately 'dissolve the union', they say. It comes despite a landmark Supreme Court judgement in 2022 which effectively ruled out any legal path to independence other than a referendum agreed to by Westminster. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'This spat just demonstrates how out of touch John Swinney and the SNP are with ordinary Scots. 'Under the nationalists, our public services are in meltdown and taxes are sky high. "But instead of fixing the mess they've created, they're fighting about how best to push their independence obsession. 'John Swinney should stop fixating on tearing up the UK and focus on his day job.' Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said: 'Imagine if the SNP spent as much time exploring how to save the NHS rather than fighting over different wheezes for an unwanted second referendum.' Five moments you missed from a weekend with Donald Trump in Scotland The SNP 'Group of 43' has submitted a motion for approval by the SNP's conference committee which states: 'Conference instructs the Party to prioritise obtaining a mandate from the sovereign Scottish people to deliver independence. 'This will be possible by achieving a majority of the popular vote on the sum of the Independence Supporting Parties' List Votes in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary election.' Longtime party activist Graeme McCormick, one of the people behind the strategy, told The Herald: 'As you can imagine in the SNP, there are lots of views on how to achieve independence. A few of us who have been involved in the movement for a long time came together to propose this plan. 'If we get a majority of pro-independence votes on the list, we'll open negotiations with the UK Government around independence. If the negotiations aren't successful, then we'll move to dissolve the union. It's perfectly legal to do so.' The group will meet at St Matthew's Church in Perth to 'plan strategic amendments' and 'decide together how we take this initiative forward.' An invitation to the meeting stated: 'We are done asking for referenda. Never again will we accept a Scottish SNP leader or First Minister going cap in hand to Westminster for permission to leave the Union. That time is past.' Kenny MacAskill, leader of the Alba Party and a former member of the radical '79 Group' that dragged the SNP to the left under Alex Salmond, said he 'recognised and welcomed the old radical fire that still exsits within the SNP membership'. He said: 'They are now way ahead of the SNP leadership on the question of delivering independence.'
Daily Record
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
John Swinney playing 'old tune' on Scottish independence, claims Lorna Slater
The SNP leader used his regular column in the Daily Record to announced that a majority for his party at next year's election would be required for an IndyRef2. The SNP is playing an 'old tune' on independence, Scottish Green leadership candidate Lorna Slater has claimed. First Minister John Swinney used his regular column in the Daily Record to announced on Monday that a majority for his party at next year's election should be enough to secure a second vote on independence, as it was for the first in 2014. Slater – who was launching her campaign for re-election as Green party co-leader in Edinburgh today – said she does not expect an SNP majority next May. "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. "John Swinney, I think, is being a little disingenuous. We had a successful pro-independence majority with the Bute House Agreement that the SNP decided to end.' On her ideas for forcing the UK Government to allow a second referendum, Slater said it is up to those who believe in independence to 'build support' for it. "We do that by setting out what independence looks like and why it's important,' she said. "We hear all the time how Brexit has damaged Scotland, it hurts our labour force, meaning business cannot hire employees that they need, it hurts our NHS, we cannot get the carers and workers, and it hurts all of us in our pockets. "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. "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.' Swinney said in his Record column: "For us to achieve that independence, the first step is to secure a legal referendum recognised by all. In 2011 we secured that reliable and dependable route when the SNP achieved a majority of seats at Holyrood. "That is the only mechanism that has been proven to deliver such a vote - so that is what we need to deliver again. "That is why I have submitted a motion to the SNP conference proposing that we work to deliver a majority of SNP MSPs in the Scottish Parliament to secure that referendum on Independence. "The SNP has high ambitions for Scotland, and we must be bold to deliver on those ambitions. We must be ready to follow the path which we know can lead us to an independent state."
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.
