Swinney will call vote on referendum powers after Scottish elections
Summary
John Swinney, a leader in Scotland’s National Party, plans to hold a vote early in the new Scottish parliament to ask for legal permission to hold another independence referendum. He may do this even without winning a majority, possibly relying on support from the Scottish Greens. The UK government has said it will not allow this referendum because only it has the power to approve it.Key Facts
- John Swinney will call a vote on independence powers on the first day of the new Scottish parliament.
- He may do this even if the SNP does not have an overall majority, seeking support from the Scottish Greens.
- The SNP wants the UK government to give Scotland the legal right to hold a second independence referendum.
- Only the UK government can legally approve an independence vote, not the Scottish parliament.
- In 2022, the UK Supreme Court ruled only Westminster (UK government) can authorize a referendum.
- Swinney’s party will publish a draft referendum bill similar to the 2014 vote but it will have no legal power.
- Past attempts to hold this vote were blocked by Scotland’s law officer.
- The UK government has repeatedly said it will not agree to a Scottish independence referendum.
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