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Daily Record
3 hours ago
- 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."
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
'No shortcut to Scottish independence' insists John Swinney
On Monday, the First Minister declared that winning a majority of SNP MSPs at the next Scottish Parliament election is the essential route to securing a second independence referendum. Swinney is set to bring a motion forward at the [[SNP]]'s upcoming conference, abandoning his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon's position that a pro-independence majority of [[SNP]] and Scottish Green MSPs constitutes a mandate. Speaking at an event in Falkirk, Swinney told The National that there was a 'logjam' and to break it, voters would need to elect an [[SNP]] majority to Holyrood, as they did in 2011 under Alex Salmond. READ MORE: LIVE: Updates as Donald Trump meets Keir Starmer in Ayrshire The party returned 69 MSPs in total that year – 53 constituency seats and 16 regional seats. 'That's the way we can say to the Westminster Government we must make progress on the question of independence through a referendum,' Swinney explained. 'I'm going to say to voters in Scotland they can use their constituency vote to elect an SNP government and the regional vote to vote for independence, and create that majority in the Scottish Parliament which will deliver an independence referendum just as it did in 2011.' The National pointed out that recent polling didn't have the SNP on track for a majority, and asked if Swinney's plan fails, would independence be put on the back-burner by the party. In response, the FM said: 'Well, I want to make sure that we have a credible route to deliver independence. In 2011 we did that. 'We got a majority of SNP MSPs into the Scottish Parliament and a referendum, and I think we have got to take bold action to break the log jam. 'And that bold action is repeating what we did in 2011 so that we can secure the referendum and secure the future of the people of Scotland.' Swinney said that he would make an appeal to the public on the 'merits' of independence, but that 'ultimately' it was up to voters. 'I've believed in independence all my adult life, and I'll make that case to people between now and the elections in May,' he added. 'I will work with other parties to encourage a democratic upsurge so that we can have a democratic expression of the views of the people of Scotland. 'People must be able in Scotland to exercise their choice on the constitutional future of our country. READ MORE: Donald Trump 'knows where I stand' on Scottish independence, says John Swinney 'We cannot be in a voluntary union and not be able to express a desire to leave that Union if we choose to do so.' Asked if there was pro-independence majority including MSPs from other parties after the election, if he would consider that a mandate, 'Well, I'm putting my pitch to the people of Scotland,' the FM said. 'I think anyone that looks at the political history of Scotland can see that. The one occasion on which a referendum on independence came about [was] because there was a majority of SNP MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament. 'I don't think there's a shortcut. (Image: PA) 'I don't think there's a way around that. 'That's what we've got to achieve in May, and that's what I'm determined to achieve.' Earlier this month, we exclusively revealed Swinney's three-point plan to achieve Scottish independence. He said that building support for independence, upping the pressure on Westminster to allow Scotland to assert its right to choose through a democratic referendum, and urging the public to vote SNP at the election would form the three prongs of his strategy. There was a mixed response from independence supporters.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Donald Trump goes golfing as protesters speak out against his visit to Scotland
Tight security around the Trump Turnberry course meant no demonstrators were seen when the president took to the greens on Saturday morning. Dressed in black, with a white cap that said USA on it, Mr Trump could be seen driving a golf buggy, flanked by a fleet of security personnel, as he played on the famous course which he bought in 2014. The outspoken Republican waved to journalists at one point, with hits including Billy Joel's Uptown Girl and Elaine Paige's rendition of Memory from the musical Cats heard playing from his entourage. But when asked about links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Simon and Garfunkel hit Bridge Over Troubled Water could be heard. However hundreds gathered in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen – near the site of Mr Trump's other Scottish golf resort – to make their opposition to the president known. As the visit got under way Scottish First Minister John Swinney – who is due to hold talks with the president later in the trip – announced public money to support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire. The 2025 Nexo Championship – previously known as the Scottish Championship – is set to take place there next month, supported by £180,000 of public funding. Mr Swinney said: 'The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.' But Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to 'handing some pocket money to the school bully'. Mr Trump will head to his golf resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire later on in his five-day long private visit. As part of his trip he will also hold talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where the two men will refine a trade deal between the UK and the US that was agreed earlier this year. The president is also expected to talk trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. But with no talks apparently scheduled for Saturday, the president, who is well known for his love of golf, was free to take to the famous course at Turnberry. A major security operation surrounded him, with police officers and military personnel seen scouring the grounds ahead of Mr Trump teeing off. After touching down in Scotland in Air Force One on Friday night, the president was seen on the course at Turnberry on Saturday morning – although security fencing had also been erected around the resort, with road closures also in place to help protect Mr Trump, who last year survived an assassination attempt. Sniffer dogs were seen patrolling the golf course, with the Navy carrying out sweeps in the water beside the seaside course, while Army vehicles were spotted on the nearby A77 road. Police Scotland has asked for support from other forces across the UK to bolster officer numbers for the high profile visit – with Mr Swinney appealing to people to protest 'peacefully and within the law'. In Aberdeen Green north east Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' Speaking about the US president, Ms Chapman said: 'He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. 'We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.' With Mr Trump having last year been convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records, she said the president was a 'convicted felon'. And she told the PA news agency: 'He is not welcome in Scotland, he is certainly not welcome in Aberdeenshire. 'We know that he is a convicted felon. 'We also know that all of the promises he has repeatedly made to Scotland have come to nothing, there hasn't been the development of jobs or houses that he promised when he opened his course in Aberdeenshire a few years ago.' Mr Harvie was also critical of the president, telling PA: 'He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it. 'And that is after having trashed part of our natural environment on the Aberdeenshire coast to build his golf resort.' Anita Bhadani was one of those who organised the Stop Trump Coalition protest outside the US Consulate General's office in Edinburgh. She told PA: 'We are really excited, across this whole weekend, there's so many campaign groups turning out in the streets, tacking in action in their communities or at rallies like this – it's kind of like a carnival of resistance.' She said Mr Trump's 'huge promises' of creating thousands of jobs through development around his Scottish golf courses had not come to pass. A number of speakers addressed the crowd, condemning President Trump, including one who chanted 'death to the IDF'.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Donald Trump goes golfing as protesters speak out against his visit to Scotland
Tight security around the Trump Turnberry course meant no demonstrators were seen when the president took to the greens on Saturday morning. Dressed in black, with a white cap that said USA on it, Mr Trump could be seen driving a golf buggy, flanked by a fleet of security personnel, as he played on the famous course which he bought in 2014. The outspoken Republican waved to journalists at one point, with hits including Billy Joel's Uptown Girl and Elaine Paige's rendition of Memory from the musical Cats heard playing from his entourage. But when asked about links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Simon and Garfunkel hit Bridge Over Troubled Water could be heard. However hundreds gathered in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen – near the site of Mr Trump's other Scottish golf resort – to make their opposition to the president known. As the visit got under way Scottish First Minister John Swinney – who is due to hold talks with the president later in the trip – announced public money to support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire. The 2025 Nexo Championship – previously known as the Scottish Championship – is set to take place there next month, supported by £180,000 of public funding. The US president was surrounded by security as he took to the course (Robert Perry/PA) Mr Swinney said: 'The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.' But Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to 'handing some pocket money to the school bully'. Mr Trump will head to his golf resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire later on in his five-day long private visit. As part of his trip he will also hold talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where the two men will refine a trade deal between the UK and the US that was agreed earlier this year. The president is also expected to talk trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. Police officers and military personnel were seen earlier searching the grounds around Trump Turnberry (Robert Perry/PA) But with no talks apparently scheduled for Saturday, the president, who is well known for his love of golf, was free to take to the famous course at Turnberry. A major security operation surrounded him, with police officers and military personnel seen scouring the grounds ahead of Mr Trump teeing off. After touching down in Scotland in Air Force One on Friday night, the president was seen on the course at Turnberry on Saturday morning – although security fencing had also been erected around the resort, with road closures also in place to help protect Mr Trump, who last year survived an assassination attempt. Sniffer dogs were seen patrolling the golf course, with the Navy carrying out sweeps in the water beside the seaside course, while Army vehicles were spotted on the nearby A77 road. Police Scotland has asked for support from other forces across the UK to bolster officer numbers for the high profile visit – with Mr Swinney appealing to people to protest 'peacefully and within the law'. Protesters at the Stop Trump coalition organised a demonstration in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) In Aberdeen Green north east Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' Speaking about the US president, Ms Chapman said: 'He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. 'We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.' With Mr Trump having last year been convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records, she said the president was a 'convicted felon'. And she told the PA news agency: 'He is not welcome in Scotland, he is certainly not welcome in Aberdeenshire. 'We know that he is a convicted felon. Green MSP Maggie Chapman addressed protesters in Aberdeen (Nick Forbes/PA) 'We also know that all of the promises he has repeatedly made to Scotland have come to nothing, there hasn't been the development of jobs or houses that he promised when he opened his course in Aberdeenshire a few years ago.' Mr Harvie was also critical of the president, telling PA: 'He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it. 'And that is after having trashed part of our natural environment on the Aberdeenshire coast to build his golf resort.' Anita Bhadani was one of those who organised the Stop Trump Coalition protest outside the US Consulate General's office in Edinburgh. She told PA: 'We are really excited, across this whole weekend, there's so many campaign groups turning out in the streets, tacking in action in their communities or at rallies like this – it's kind of like a carnival of resistance.' She said Mr Trump's 'huge promises' of creating thousands of jobs through development around his Scottish golf courses had not come to pass. A number of speakers addressed the crowd, condemning President Trump, including one who chanted 'death to the IDF'.
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Trump International golf contest to receive £180,000 from Scottish Government
First Minister John Swinney is to meet with the US President while he is in Scotland over the next four days. Swinney said the funding will 'further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination'. READ MORE: Donald Trump claims immigration is 'killing Europe' during Scotland visit The Scottish Government are in 'advanced negotiations' over the money, which is to go towards the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously the Scottish Championship, which will be held at Trump International this August. Announcing the plans, Swinney said: 'I welcome the Nexo Championship being held at the Trump International Golf Links this August. 'Scotland has long been recognised as a world-class host of major events. Golf and golf events are a key part of our national identity, supporting communities, driving economic growth, contributing to environmental sustainability across the country and promoting Scotland through global profile. 'The [[Scottish Government]] recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy. 'As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination and I am hopeful of securing further golfing events in future years.' The US President is expected to travel to Trump International in Aberdeenshire on Monday. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has hit out at the First Minister for the promise of public cash for President Trump's golf resort. He likened that to Swinney announcing he is 'handing some pocket money to the school bully basically with £180,000 to support a golf tournament at the Menie estate'. After Trump again criticised the 'windmills' used in green energy project when he touched down in Scotland, Harvie said: 'He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it. 'That is after having trashed part of our natural environment on the Aberdeenshire coast to build his golf resort.' The Green MSP spoke out as he joined hundreds of other anti-Trump protesters at a demonstration in the Scottish capital. Trump flew into Prestwick Airport last night and has been pictured playing golf at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire on Saturday morning. He is expected to meet with Swinney during his trip, along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Earlier this month, Swinney said, it is in the interests of the country that he meets US President as he had an 'obligation' to 'protect and promote' Scotland. He said there would be an opportunity during his meeting to discuss tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine.
