John Swinney will call a vote seeking powers to hold a second independence referendum on the first day of the next Scottish parliament even if the SNP fails to win an overall majority, his senior aide has said.
The SNP leader's adviser indicated that, if necessary, the party would rely on support from the pro-independence Scottish Greens to win that vote, which would demand the UK government grant Holyrood the legal authority to hold a referendum. The strategy document, unveiled on Monday, set out the SNP's first 100 days in government and said a vote would be brought forward on the parliament's first sitting day without any preconditions.
Swinney refused to confirm the position when questioned by reporters, stressing that a majority would be preferable but adding: “I’m simply saying to people, vote SNP and let’s get on with it.” His aide was more explicit, saying: “You continue to pursue your agenda to the maximum amount, as all governments do. If we’re elected as a government that manifesto stands. Otherwise what’s the purpose of a manifesto?”
The document said a draft referendum bill would be published later, containing the same yes/no question as in 2014. However, such a bill would have no legal standing, as the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that only the UK government can legislate for an independence referendum. The UK government has repeatedly refused to approve one, and Swinney declined to say whether he would pursue a court challenge.
Opinion polls suggest the SNP is on course for a comfortable victory on 7 May, though only around 75% of pro-independence voters are expected to back the SNP, with many supporting the Greens or other parties. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticised the move, saying Swinney was “hellbent on plunging Holyrood into fresh constitutional chaos” rather than focusing on the cost of living, jobs, education or the NHS.
