Swinney Sets Out Demands for Independence Referendum Powers
John Swinney has stated he will push Prime Minister Andy Burnham to grant the powers necessary for a second referendum on Scottish independence. Scotland's First Minister is scheduled to speak with the Prime Minister on Monday evening, as he seeks to leverage what he describes as a mandate from the Scottish people.
The SNP leader expressed hope that Sir Keir Starmer's successor could herald a fresh start in relations between the Scottish and UK governments, which he claims have deteriorated over the past year. Speaking at Bute House, his official residence, Swinney emphasized his desire for a constructive dialogue with Burnham while reaffirming that securing a route to another referendum remains a key priority.
Call for Devolution of Energy and Economic Powers
Swinney specifically called for the devolution of energy and economic powers to Scotland, arguing that Scotland's energy wealth should benefit its people. He described greater economic powers for the Scottish Parliament as vital, stating, "That way the energy wealth of Scotland can be used for the benefit of the people of Scotland."
The First Minister also indicated he would prefer direct one-on-one meetings with the Prime Minister rather than dealing with a Scottish secretary, suggesting he does not want Douglas Alexander to return to that role in Burnham's government.
Referendum Mandate and Democratic Argument
Swinney framed his push for a referendum as a democratic imperative, noting that the Scottish Parliament elected the largest number of members ever to support independence and the right of the people to decide in a referendum. He stated, "What I want to do is engage in a constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister about making sure that the mandate I've received from the people of Scotland can be turned into reality."
He added, "We've got to respect democracy here," emphasizing that his approach is to turn the mandate into reality through a referendum.
Conditions on Oil and Gas Fields
Regarding the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields, Swinney signaled he would wait for climate compatibility tests before taking a position. He stressed that any decision must balance the UK's legal climate obligations with the continuing need for domestic oil and gas during the transition to net zero. "We are going to have to use oil and gas for some years to come as part of the journey to net zero," he said.
The First Minister acknowledged the uncertainty among North Sea oil and gas workers, stating, "I understand the uncertainty and the anxiety of North Sea oil and gas workers. I completely understand that." He emphasized that decisions must withstand legal scrutiny, and the Scottish Government's position will become clearer once climate compatibility assessments are completed.
Call for Mutual Respect in UK-Scotland Relations
Swinney stressed that any reset in relations must be anchored on mutual respect, saying, "My Government will respect the UK Government and its responsibilities, but we expect that to be reciprocated." He compared the current state of relations unfavorably to the Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak years, remarking, "If I compare the most recent period with the experience of some of the Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak years, that tells you how bad it all was."
