Scottish independence referendum

🗳️Unspun Morning Briefing: Return of the John and a crude awakening

John Swinney is set to return as First Minister while questions over independence, North Sea policy and Holyrood’s newest faces begin shaping the next Parliament.

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney are singing from very different hymn sheets.

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney are singing from very different hymn sheets.

Swinney and Starmer and two oh so very different hymn sheets

Zack Polanski during an event in Glasgow on April 23, 2026.

Zack Polanski during an event in Glasgow on April 23, 2026.

Greens' Polanski says Scotland 'treated like children' over second independence vote

Health Secretary Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting

'They're not having one' - Wes Streeting rules out second Scottish independence vote

The soft yes vote to independence is emerging as a dominant force in Scotland.

The soft yes vote to independence is emerging as a dominant force in Scotland.

'Scotland's soft Yes voters hold centre ground in independence debate'

The Union and Saltire flags blow in the wind at the Cowal Highland Gathering

The Union and Saltire flags blow in the wind at the Cowal Highland Gathering

Report: 'Scotland needs mechanism to trigger independence referendum'

Scotland's opposition will continue to dodge questions around a second independence referendum.

Scotland's opposition will continue to dodge questions around a second independence referendum.

Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge again: Political parties' approach to IndyRef2

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (right) at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa in Falkirk, with Lord Malcolm Offord

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (right) at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa in Falkirk, with Lord Malcolm Offord

Reform’s Malcolm Offord refuses to snub SNP's independence referendum plan

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney delivers a keynote speech at Oran Mor, in Glasgow, as he launches the SNP's 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign and outlines the opportunity for a fresh start with independence.

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney delivers a keynote speech at Oran Mor, in Glasgow, as he launches the SNP's 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign and outlines the opportunity for a fresh start with independence.

Scottish independence

John Swinney swerves indyref tactics questions but insists plan is 'crystal clear'

Newly released cabinet papers from 2010 reveal ministers had considered holding their multi-option referendum on the same say as the 2011 Scottish election

Newly released cabinet papers from 2010 reveal ministers had considered holding their multi-option referendum on the same say as the 2011 Scottish election

Scottish independence referendum

Archives: Ministers considered holding indyref on same day as 2011 election

Zarah Sultana (left) on stage during the Your Party rally at Community Central Halls in Maryhill Glasgow.

Zarah Sultana (left) on stage during the Your Party rally at Community Central Halls in Maryhill Glasgow.

Scottish independence referendum

Zarah Sultana: I believe in self-determination for Scotland

Stewart McDonald

Stewart McDonald

Ex-SNP defence spokesman hits out as party drops security debate at conference

The First Minister has made the call amidst a raging internal party debate on independence strategy (Jane Barlow/PA)

The First Minister has made the call amidst a raging internal party debate on independence strategy (Jane Barlow/PA)

Swinney urges voters to ‘make independence a reality’ at 2026 election

Soap bubbles coming out of megaphone

Soap bubbles coming out of megaphone

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

I love democracy. That’s why your referendums terrify me

Nicola Sturgeon's memoir was compared to Barack Obama's by Andrew O'Hagan

Nicola Sturgeon's memoir was compared to Barack Obama's by Andrew O'Hagan

Nicola Sturgeon book compared to Barack Obama memoir. Really?

The MV Glen Sannox

The MV Glen Sannox

When all's said and done, the CalMac ferries are better than the catamaran option

Keir Starmer needs to address voting reform and the rise of Reform UK

Keir Starmer needs to address voting reform and the rise of Reform UK

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse

If Starmer doesn't fix two crucial issues he can start writing his political obituary

Rory Bremner's Rory Goes to Holyrood was shown in the run-up to the independence referendum. Picture: Graham Hunter/The Comedy Unit

Rory Bremner's Rory Goes to Holyrood was shown in the run-up to the independence referendum. Picture: Graham Hunter/The Comedy Unit

Alison Rowat: In Scotland we don't make political jokes, we elect them

First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader John Swinney takes a selfie on stage with candidates after speaking at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh, to mark one year to go to the next Holyrood election on May 7 2026.

First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader John Swinney takes a selfie on stage with candidates after speaking at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh, to mark one year to go to the next Holyrood election on May 7 2026.

Independence will be 'central' to SNP 2026 election campaigning, says First Minister

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her then-fiance Peter Murrell at their home in 2014

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her then-fiance Peter Murrell at their home in 2014

Nicola Sturgeon

At home with Nicola Sturgeon: 'I am not a housewife but I love being in my house'

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Anas Sarwar rules out indyref in next Holyrood term even if SNP form government

John Swinney and Kate Forbes are gold dust

John Swinney and Kate Forbes are gold dust

Andy Maciver: I've changed my mind: Swinney and Forbes could actually pull off indy

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon: We thought independence side had low chance of success in referendum

leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alex Cole-Hamilton

leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alex Cole-Hamilton

Alex Cole-Hamilton

Lib Dems would refuse to back Scottish budget with Independence spending

Gordon Brown during the independence referendum campaign

Gordon Brown during the independence referendum campaign

Letters: Alex Salmond top Scots figure? No, that's Gordon Brown, without question

Alba’s future and that of the Scottish independence movement are much less about personalities and much more about the structural challenges

Alba’s future and that of the Scottish independence movement are much less about personalities and much more about the structural challenges

Scottish independence

Mark McGeoghegan: The key challenges facing the indy movement in the post-Salmond era

Alba Deputy Leader Kenny MacAskill speaking at a party assembly in January last year, with Alex Salmond looking on

Alba Deputy Leader Kenny MacAskill speaking at a party assembly in January last year, with Alex Salmond looking on

Scottish independence

Letters: If Alex Salmond couldn't win indy, what's left of Alba has no chance

'Highly regarded thinker' becomes Swinney's newest spindoctor

'Highly regarded thinker' becomes Swinney's newest spindoctor

'Highly regarded thinker' becomes Swinney's newest spindoctor

Religion has played a big role in politics

Religion has played a big role in politics

Catholic Church in Scotland

The role religious faith plays in shaping Scotland’s political future

Graham and Sandra bookend Cathy in Two Doors Down Picture: BBC

Graham and Sandra bookend Cathy in Two Doors Down Picture: BBC

Scottish independence referendum

'We may never know truth about what took place in stranger moments of indyref’

Alex Salmond and other Yes supporters on the Cineworld platform

Alex Salmond and other Yes supporters on the Cineworld platform

Patrick Harvie: 'I thought for a heart-pumping moment we might have won'

Jim Sillars alongside Nicola Sturgeon in 2013

Jim Sillars alongside Nicola Sturgeon in 2013

Nicola Sturgeon is to blame for Yes movement's demise but it can return even stronger

Alex Salmond pictured in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on the day of the independence referendum

Alex Salmond pictured in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on the day of the independence referendum

I’d have stayed on if I knew we wouldn’t be independent 10 years on – Salmond

Were voters deceived by false promises during the independence referendum campaign?

Were voters deceived by false promises during the independence referendum campaign?

Scottish independence referendum

Letters: The Better Together empty promises robbed us of hope

David Cameron signing the Edinburgh Agreement along with Alex Salmond on October 15, 2012

David Cameron signing the Edinburgh Agreement along with Alex Salmond on October 15, 2012

Scottish independence referendum

Letters: David Cameron's stupidity nearly cost us the Union

An event 10 years on from the independence referendum will be held at the University of Glasgow

An event 10 years on from the independence referendum will be held at the University of Glasgow

Scottish independence referendum

Independence referendum event to be hosted at Glasgow Uni 10 years on from vote

Scotland went to the polls on 18 September, 2014

Scotland went to the polls on 18 September, 2014

Alison Rowat: cheers or jeers, how will you mark Scotland's indyref anniversary?

Humza Yousaf has invited Keir Starmer for talks at Bute House

Humza Yousaf has invited Keir Starmer for talks at Bute House

Yousaf invites Starmer for 'respectful' Bute House talks over independence plans

First Minister Humza Yousaf and Independence Minister Jamie Hepburn

First Minister Humza Yousaf and Independence Minister Jamie Hepburn

Jamie Hepburn claims SNP's renewed independence case 'well worth' public funding

Scotland 's links to the slave trade was one of many subjects stored away

Scotland 's links to the slave trade was one of many subjects stored away

Alison Rowat: Please Miss, why was I taught nothing about Scotland's history?

Stephen Flynn said the pressure is on Keir Starmer to back a second referendum and more devolution

Stephen Flynn said the pressure is on Keir Starmer to back a second referendum and more devolution

Flynn: Pressure will be on Starmer not to reject Indyref2 calls and devolution boost

Philip Rycroft, former permanent secretary in the department for exiting the EU

Philip Rycroft, former permanent secretary in the department for exiting the EU

"We knew from Scots indyref that Brexit would get ugly" documentary hears

The crowds turn out to support an independent Scotland

The crowds turn out to support an independent Scotland

Alison Rowat: What if they held a march for independence and nobody came?

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Government's minister for zero carbon buildings, is adamant that consumers will have to replace fossil fuel boilers

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Government's minister for zero carbon buildings, is adamant that consumers will have to replace fossil fuel boilers

SNP and the Greens need a dose of realism for all our sakes

Humza Yousaf and Angus MacNeil

Humza Yousaf and Angus MacNeil

Angus MacNeil 'Humza should gamble career on Holyrood de facto referendum'

Police struggle to gain control as pro-Union protestors clash with independence supporters in Glasgow’s George Square at the close of the 2014 referendum campaign

Police struggle to gain control as pro-Union protestors clash with independence supporters in Glasgow’s George Square at the close of the 2014 referendum campaign

Scottish independence referendum

Never forget the unionists have their share of thugs

AN All Under One Banner march rally at Bannockburn last year. How should the SNP go about reinvigorating the independence campaign?

AN All Under One Banner march rally at Bannockburn last year. How should the SNP go about reinvigorating the independence campaign?

SNP needs to stoke national anger to win our independence

An independence rally at Bannockburn. Photo Colin Mearns/The Herald.

An independence rally at Bannockburn. Photo Colin Mearns/The Herald.

Humza Yousaf insists independence within five years remains 'realistic goal'

SNP leadership candidates, from left, Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan.

SNP leadership candidates, from left, Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan.

Forbes says she is best to 'take on' Starmer who is 'spoiling for a fight'

Independence supporters marching from Stirling old bridge to Bannockburn. ..Photograph by Colin Mearns.25 June 2022.

Independence supporters marching from Stirling old bridge to Bannockburn. ..Photograph by Colin Mearns.25 June 2022.

Nicola Sturgeon

How Labour's law reforms 'could pave the way to independence'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addresses the media following the Supreme Court's ruling in November that Holyrood cannot hold an independence referendum without the agreement of Westminster. Photo PA.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addresses the media following the Supreme Court's ruling in November that Holyrood cannot hold an independence referendum without the agreement of Westminster. Photo PA.

Nicola Sturgeon

SNP de facto referendum jitters reveal high stakes for party and independence

Stephen Flynn at Prime Minister's Questions. Photo PA.

Stephen Flynn at Prime Minister's Questions. Photo PA.

Scottish independence referendum

Flynn accuses Tories of turning Indyref2 debate into 'democratic crisis'

Nicola Sturgeon delivers her keynote speech during the SNP conference at The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) in Aberdeen, Scotland, Monday October 10, 2022. Photo Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Nicola Sturgeon delivers her keynote speech during the SNP conference at The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) in Aberdeen, Scotland, Monday October 10, 2022. Photo Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Nicola Sturgeon

'Very damaging': SNP told of impact of a GE de facto vote climbdown on Sturgeon

The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn says using Westminster general election as de facto independence referendum is the 'best option' in the absence of an agreement on a new vote.

The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn says using Westminster general election as de facto independence referendum is the 'best option' in the absence of an agreement on a new vote.

Nicola Sturgeon

SNP Westminster chief says using next GE as 'de facto' indyref is 'best option'