John Swinney, the First Minister and leader of the SNP, argues that securing a majority in the upcoming Holyrood elections in May 2026 could facilitate a legal referendum on Scottish independence.

He emphasizes the necessity of a 'democratic majority' of pro-independence Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to pave the way for a new vote on this constitutional issue.

In a recent column for the Daily Record, Swinney criticized the UK economy for failing to improve living standards for ordinary citizens since the 2008 financial crash.

He expressed concern that the situation has worsened since the 2014 independence referendum, citing negative impacts from Brexit, former Prime Minister Liz Truss's mini-budget, and ongoing austerity measures imposed by Westminster.

Swinney argues that independence could provide a better future for Scotland by allowing the country to manage its energy resources, which he claims could lower consumer bills and business costs.

To address ongoing frustrations regarding independence, Swinney plans to introduce 'radical policies' in the coming months aimed at transforming Scotland.

However, opposition leaders, including Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie and Scottish Liberal Democrats' Alex Cole-Hamilton, have criticized Swinney's focus on independence, arguing that the SNP is neglecting pressing issues such as the NHS and education.

Baillie claimed that the SNP has lost its way, prioritizing independence over crucial public services, while Cole-Hamilton pointed to the party's poor performance in the last election as a consequence of this singular focus.

Both Baillie and Cole-Hamilton suggest that voters are ready for change in the 2026 elections, indicating a growing discontent with the SNP's current priorities.

Swinney also pointed to the negative impacts of Brexit and austerity measures as reasons for the need for independence, asserting that it would lead to a better future for Scotland.

He reiterated that managing Scotland's energy resources through independence could significantly benefit consumers and businesses alike.

Ultimately, Swinney's upcoming policies are aimed at revitalizing Scotland while addressing the electorate's frustrations over the current focus on independence.