First Minister John Swinney has declared that a "variety of tactics" could be deployed to secure a second Scottish independence referendum if the SNP wins an emphatic mandate in May's Holyrood elections.
The Path to a Second Vote
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme, the SNP leader set out his party's central election goal: winning an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament on May 7, 2026. He argued that such a result would demonstrate the "emphatic support" of the Scottish people for another ballot on the nation's future within the United Kingdom.
However, with the UK's Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, firmly rejecting calls for a repeat of the 2014 vote, Mr Swinney faced questions on how he would convert a parliamentary majority into an actual referendum. While he confirmed multiple strategies exist, he refused to disclose them, stating: "I am not going to set out my tactics in advance of an election campaign."
Clash with Westminster
The First Minister's comments follow Chancellor Rachel Reeves's unequivocal rejection of another independence vote last November. Reeves cited the 2014 referendum being described as a "once-in-a-generation" event, adding: "People gave their verdict then, we don't need another one."
Mr Swinney countered this position, branding it an "unsustainable democratic position" for Westminster to resist Scotland's democratic will. He pointed to the precedent set after the 2011 Holyrood election, where an SNP majority under Alex Salmond made the case for a referendum "irrefutable." "That is the precedent we've got to rely upon," he asserted.
The Electoral Battle and Economic Argument
Current polling suggests the SNP is on course to remain the largest party at Holyrood, which would be a historic fifth consecutive election victory. However, projections indicate the party may fall just short of the 65 seats needed for an outright majority. Mr Swinney acknowledged polls showing around 63 seats but insisted he was "not satisfied" and that his party was campaigning vigorously for a majority.
His core message to voters is clear: "If people want Scotland to become an independent country, the route to make that happen is by electing a majority of SNP MSPs." He framed the choice as one between a "fresh start with independence" and remaining "saddled with the economic mistakes of Westminster," where he claimed living standards have been "flat as a pancake for 15 years." He promised independence would allow Scotland to match the "far superior" economic performance of other small European nations.
