Swinney claims independence push has 'turned a corner' as Burnham insists the issue is 'off limits'

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026.

John Swinney has declared that Scotland's independence campaign has "turned a corner", pointing to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Commons admission that Scotland could vote again if there were public consensus. Swinney cited the SNP's fifth successive election win and the Cardiff Agreement among pro-independence leaders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as proof momentum has shifted. Burnham swiftly walked back his Commons remarks, reaffirming Scottish independence is "off limits". Swinney hit back, saying if the PM's own words to the House of Commons cannot be taken at face value, something is badly wrong.

Swinney said the SNP's fifth-term win puts it 'in the lead of political debate in Scotland.'

Burnham also refused to budge over the Cardiff Agreement, signed by pro-independence leaders across three nations.

The SNP conference opens in Aberdeen on Thursday, where Swinney faces internal criticism for inviting Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay to speak.