Particle.news
Download on the App Store
23 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

SNP Conference Backs Swinney’s 65-Seat Majority Plan for Second Referendum

The UK Government says it will not grant a new vote, leaving a rare Holyrood majority as the SNP’s chosen mandate.

Image
Nicola Sturgeon during the second day of the SNP conference in Aberdeen
Image
Image

Overview

  • Delegates overwhelmingly endorsed making an outright SNP majority of 65 seats the party’s route to a new referendum and rejected a de-facto referendum amendment from more than 40 branches.
  • John Swinney told members the party would “win big” next year and pressed a simple message that only a vote for the SNP secures Scotland’s right to decide.
  • After depute leader Keith Brown said Swinney had staked his premiership on the plan, the First Minister said he would not resign if he won the election without a majority.
  • Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said ministers have no intention of approving a referendum regardless of next year’s result, highlighting an unresolved constitutional impasse.
  • Polling and analysis indicate the SNP could be the largest party due to a split unionist vote rather than a surge in support, as critics and Nicola Sturgeon caution that securing 65 seats under Holyrood’s system will be exceptionally hard.