Burnham Refuses Scottish Referendum Again as Swinney Vows to Keep Pressing for One

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham again refused a second Scottish independence referendum Friday, and First Minister John Swinney said he will keep pressing for one during this parliamentary term.

The two met in Glasgow at the National Economic Council and agreed to start work on moving more powers to Scotland. Downing Street called the meeting “extremely positive,” Holyrood magazine reported, and said a “policy sprint” led by its No10 North office, with officials from both governments, would take the work forward.

The same statement excluded the vote Swinney wants. The UK Government would “review and respond” to issues he raised, it said, adding: “This would not include a second independence referendum in Scotland, which the prime minister has repeatedly made clear, is off the table.”

Swinney’s Position

Daily Business, a Scottish business news site, reported that Swinney “appeared to concede defeat” on a referendum. His remarks to reporters afterward said otherwise.

“The Prime Minister and I don’t agree on the question of independence,” Swinney said, according to the Scottish Daily Express, “but I reiterate my point that I intend to apply the pressure and mobilise opinion within Scotland to secure a referendum.” He said he had repeated his support for a referendum to Burnham.

Swinney also promised to work “constructively and collaboratively” with Burnham to move powers from Westminster, “as long as those proposals drive economic growth.” He has written privately to Burnham with suggestions for further devolution and declined to tell reporters what they are, Holyrood reported. Daily Business reported that the sprint will cover employment support for young people.

The Legal Bar

Swinney’s prepared speech to his party’s conference in Aberdeen this month said: “One by one, the stars are aligning in our favour.” Burnham told members of Parliament in September that a vote would be considered if there were clear consensus and public opinion had changed, then called a referendum “off limits.”

The Scottish National Party (SNP) fell seven seats short of a majority in the Scottish Parliament. Swinney bases his case on the majority held there by parties that support independence.

A 2022 UK Supreme Court ruling requires the UK Government’s agreement for any vote on Scottish independence. Downing Street withheld that agreement again Friday.