John Swinney made it clear he is renew his efforts to deliver Scottish independence (Image: GETTY)
The “time is right” for Scotland to go it alone, First Minister John Swinney has insisted, as he doubled down on his commitment to Scottish independence. The SNP leader’s combative remarks at the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen are doubtless to restart the debate over a so-called IndyRef2 – 11 years after Scotland rejected the chance to break away from Westminster.
Emphasising his belief that independence “offers Scotland a fresh start”, Mr Swinney claimed it would mean the country could “realise the true potential we have as a nation”. He continued: “This is a moment of decision. We all face a choice. Decline, decay and despair with Westminster government, or hope, optimism and ambition with Scottish self-government.” He further stressed his belief the party’s task was “to win a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament” in next May’s Holyrood elections.
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First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, after delivering his keynote speech at the SNP conference (Image: PA)
This, Mr Swinney said, would “break the log-jam in Scottish politics” and allow a second independence referendum to take place.
He told SNP activists that “the better nation we know is within our grasp” and that the SNP was “building a country for all of Scotland” which would be “a nation defined by fairness”.
This would be a country, he claimed, “where the sense of possibility runs deep through all our cities, towns, villages and through every community” and where “the saltire will flutter proudly, but gently, as a symbol of an inclusive, welcoming, compassionate nation”.
Adding that there are those “who seek a very different future for Scotland”, Mr Swinney said as a result his party needs to be “stronger” and “more committed”.
John Swinney also took at swipe at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
He also took potshots at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
He said: “Keir Starmer promised to be a left-wing Labour leader, and then he became a right-wing Prime Minister.
“He stole Jeremy Corbyn’s clothes and now he’s dressing up as Nigel Farage.”
He claimed the Prime Minister “hasn’t even tried to implement the progressive policies that people backed him for”.
Mr Swinney argued that the rise of Reform had prompted a “race to the right” in UK politics.
He said: “Fear of Farage is driving Westminster to more and more extreme views.”
Nicola Sturgeon, also pictured at the conference (Image: Getty)
The most recent Scottish independence referendum, held in September 2014, saw voters decisively reject independence, with 55.3% voting No and 44.7% voting Yes.
The campaign focused on issues such as the economy, currency, and EU membership, with the pro-union “Better Together” campaign emphasising stability and the risks of leaving the UK.
In the aftermath, then-First Minister Alex Salmond accepted the result but pledged to continue advocating for greater devolved powers, keeping the independence debate alive.
Nicola Sturgeon resigned as Scotland’s First Minister in February 2023, ending an eight-year tenure marked by a determined push for Scottish independence.
Her departure came amid political turbulence, including a police investigation into SNP finances and internal party divisions over the independence strategy.
Despite stepping down as First Minister, Sturgeon remained an MSP for Glasgow Southside, continuing to exert influence on Scottish politics from the backbenches.
Since her resignation, support for Scottish independence has fluctuated. An April 2025 poll indicated that 52% of Scots would vote “Yes” in a second referendum, compared with 41% for “No”, giving independence an 11-point lead.
However, the SNP faces challenges in securing a majority in the upcoming 2026 Holyrood elections, with current polls putting them at 34%, ahead of Reform UK at 20%, Labour at 17%, and the Conservatives at 10%.