John Swinney, Scotland's first minister, has confirmed that he will call a vote on the first day of the next Scottish parliament to seek powers for a second independence referendum, even if his Scottish National Party fails to win an overall majority in the upcoming elections on 7 May. This marks a shift from his previous stance that a majority was a prerequisite.
Strategy Document Details
A strategy document released by Swinney on Monday outlines the SNP's first 100 days in government. It states that the party will "bring forward" a vote on the parliament's first sitting day if the SNP takes power, without specifying any preconditions such as a majority. Swinney's senior policy aide told reporters that the vote would proceed even with a minority government, emphasizing that the manifesto stands in its entirety.
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
The proposed vote would seek to demand that the UK government grant Holyrood the legal authority to hold a second referendum. However, the UK government has consistently refused to approve such a referendum, and the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that only Westminster can legislate for an independence vote. Swinney declined to confirm whether he would pursue legal action to force the issue, though he has previously cited the 2012 precedent when the UK government granted powers after the SNP won a majority in 2011.
Political Reactions
Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, criticized Swinney's focus on independence, calling it "breathtakingly out of touch" with the priorities of the Scottish people, such as the cost of living, jobs, education, and the NHS. Opinion polls suggest the SNP is on track for a comfortable victory, but only about 75% of pro-independence voters are expected to back the party, with others supporting the Greens or other parties.
Swinney emphasized that his goal is to provide a clear pathway to independence, urging all pro-independence supporters to vote for the SNP. He stated, "My message to people in Scotland who are independence supporters is that I'm offering a pathway for Scotland to have a choice to become independent."
