“We had a referendum in 2014, following an election in 2011, and the expectation was that by 2016 Scotland would be an independent country. The First Minister also faces the hurdle that even if his party won a majority the UK Government has said it would not agree to a new independence referendum. Read More:Pointing to an independence referendum being a "once in a generation event", the vote being in 2014 and a generation being 25 years, he has suggested a possible timescale for a second independence referendum being around 2039 - some 13 years away. "I'm hugely concerned that if Swinney achieves a majority, Keir Starmer will meekly capitulate to his referendum demands. "Labour are too weak to stand up to Swinney, while Reform's Lord Offord is relaxed about another divisive referendum.

Source: The Herald April 05, 2026 14:26 UTC