Reform MSPs walk out of parliament in protest against independence debate

Michael Marra, recently appointed as the leader of Scottish Labour, supported the motion but suggested it was driven more by internal SNP politics than by concrete measures to improve people’s lives. His amendment, which was ultimately accepted, kept John Swinney’s original statement intact while calling for increased efforts to combat child poverty.

In the course of the debate, Marra highlighted the ongoing possibility of another referendum, emphasizing that a viable path would involve building a broad consensus among the Scottish people. He stated, “There had always been a route to another referendum,” and explained that this route required assembling an overwhelming settled will. Nevertheless, Marra expressed his belief that Scotland could become a fairer and stronger nation without pursuing independence. He further remarked, “I don’t believe we have to risk our currency, our defence, our markets and our budgets to deliver a more equal and just Scotland.”

Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, urged the SNP to accept the outcome of the 2014 referendum, which was described as a “once in a generation” event. That vote resulted in 55% of Scottish voters choosing to remain part of the United Kingdom. Findlay declared, “The SNP say that Scotland should decide. We did decide, more than two million Scots said no, and thank goodness for that.”

John Swinney maintained that the majority of pro-independence members of the Scottish Parliament provided a mandate for holding another referendum. He asserted, “My party believes it is for the people of Scotland to decide when there is an independence referendum,” and argued that independence offers Scotland a “fresh start.” Swinney pointed out demographic changes since the last referendum, noting that by 2029, over a million people in Scotland will have been too young to vote in 2014, and by 2030, the youngest voters will not even have been born at that time. He also highlighted how Brexit has dramatically altered Scotland’s position within the UK and on the global stage

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