John Swinney marches alongside Scottish Greens co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay at a recent pro-independence rally(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
The UK Government’s position on a second independence referendum remains “exactly the same” after the SNP won an unprecedented fifth term at Holyrood.
A spokesperson told the Record: “Our focus must be on delivery, not division.”
It comes after John Swinney failed in his bid to win an outright majority of Nationalist MSPs – a step he had insisted would be crucial in securing an IndyRef2 – but still comfortably emerged as the leader of the largest party at the Scottish Parliament at last week’s election.
Holyrood now has 73 pro-independence MSPs when both the SNP and Scottish Greens are combined, but there is no sign the two parties will enter a formal coalition in government.
Swinney has suggested his first act as a reelected First Minister will be to lead a debate at Holyrood next week to demand the UK Government must grant a section 30 order to allow Holyrood to organise a referendum.
But that motion is set to be ignored after a UK Government spokesperson said today: “Our position remains exactly the same — we have been clear that we do not support independence or another referendum. In 2014, the people of Scotland made a clear and democratic choice to remain part of the United Kingdom.
“People need and want their governments focused on the issues that really matter — economic growth, the cost of living, and public services. Our focus must be on delivery, not division.”
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Speaking over the weekend, Swinney said: “There has now been a pro-independence majority for four elections in a row. This mandate has been ignored successive Westminster Prime Ministers, Labour and Tory, year after year after year.
“I had hoped in this election we could break the logjam by securing the only thing that has previously actually secured a vote, which was an SNP majority. Although we’ve come very close to achieving that, that SNP majority has not been accomplished.
“Now that does not change the underlying fact that, despite all the attempts to stop us, for the fourth election in a row there is a pro-independence mandate in the new Scottish Parliament. Indeed, there are now more pro-independence MSPs than at any time in the history of the Scottish Parliament.’
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, said: “I think it’s perfectly reasonable based upon the result of the election where, as you quite rightly highlighted, we now have more pro-independent MSPs coming into Holyrood than ever before.
“To make clear to Westminster that the people of Scotland should have the chance and the opportunity to decide their own future.
“To look at broken, Brexit Britain or look at a hopeful, aspirational, independent Scotland, which can grow its economy, use its energy wealth to the benefit of the people who live here, and be a prosperous place for our young people.”