US EditionJohn Swinney's Deja Vu Plan for Indy Feels More Realistic than Nicola Sturgeon's
SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 28 – John Swinney insists only a Scottish National Party majority at the 2026 Holyrood election can trigger a legally recognised independence referendum, reversing previous SNP-Green coalition stance.
- John Swinney announced plans to seek an SNP majority in the 2026 Holyrood elections to push for a legally recognized independence referendum in Scotland.
- This move follows a failed strategy including Supreme Court challenges and using general elections as informal referendums after the SNP's 2014 referendum defeat and 2016 Brexit vote.
- Swinney cited the 2011 SNP majority that led to the 2014 referendum as the only proven mechanism to deliver a lawful vote, emphasizing that only a clear SNP majority can clear the constitutional logjam.
- Critics argue that public priorities lie with health, education, and the economy, as services face decline and Scotland remains the highest taxed UK part, with one in six on NHS waiting lists and reports of school violence.
- Swinney’s renewed focus could reignite party loyalists but faces skepticism ahead of May 2026, as polls suggest SNP may remain the largest party yet struggle to win a majority amid internal and external criticisms.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Will the SNP get another independence referendum?
Tumult, turmoil, chaos: select as appropriate how best to describe the last two years for the Scottish National party. Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation, the infighting that followed and the infamous Operation Branchform police probe caused public trust in the party of government to plummet. Fast forward through the gaffe-a-day leadership of Humza Yousaf and current First
Precedent from SNP’s 2011 win would break ‘logjam’ to indyref2 – Swinney
The First Minister said there should be a ‘legal referendum recognised by all’ if the SNP secures a majority. The precedent set by the SNP’s 2011 election victory would break the “logjam” towards a second independence referendum, John Swinney has said. The First Minister said there should be a “legal referendum recognised by all” on Scottish independence if the SNP secures a majority at the Holyrood elections. Previously, he has said a “democrat…
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