John Swinney has declared the SNP will "win big" at next year's Holyrood election as he outlined his most assertive strategy yet for achieving Scottish independence. The First Minister made the bullish prediction during a debate at his party's conference in Aberdeen on Saturday.
Under Swinney's proposals, which faced a vote on Saturday afternoon, an SNP majority at the 2026 election would be required to trigger another independence referendum. This represents his most combative stance on independence since becoming First Minister last year.
"The precedent is clear, when the SNP win a majority, we deliver a referendum on independence," Swinney told delegates. "We did it 2011 and I want us to do it in 2026, to give our people a choice on their future. Let us agree today that we're not just going to win, we are going to win big. We're going to win a majority for the SNP to deliver that choice for Scotland."
Leadership determination outlined
Swinney emphasised he did not become leader to "make a difference at the margins, or to make a bit of progress towards independence". He declared: "No, I took the leadership to deliver independence and that's exactly what I'm going to do for Scotland. We will deliver Scotland's choice and we, the Scottish National Party, will win independence for Scotland."
The First Minister urged activists to deliver a "clear, simple and unambiguous message" to voters. "Only a vote for the SNP will secure Scotland's right to decide," he said, adding that only the SNP could secure Scottish independence.
Internal opposition emerges
The First Minister's strategy faced internal opposition from some activists proposing an amendment to treat next year's election as a de-facto referendum on independence. This alternative approach would bypass the need for Westminster approval entirely.
Graeme McCormick, who considered a leadership bid last year before allowing Swinney to win unopposed, spoke in favour of the amendment. He warned the party is "hollowing out" with significant membership reductions across all branches.
"People are not renewing their membership and they're walking away," McCormick said. "We've got to reverse that and the reason for that is that we don't inspire them." He argued that securing a popular mandate for independence would revitalise membership and attract supporters from other parties.
Appeal to candidates
McCormick made a direct appeal to selected candidates to vote against the party hierarchy on the amendment. "Just think of the legacy that would have if you are part of the Scottish Parliament, and then the provisional government of Scotland, then the government of an independent Scotland," he said.
"So I appeal to the candidates, you're not being disloyal to any leadership, you're being loyal to the people of Scotland," McCormick added. His intervention highlighted the internal tensions within the party over strategy and direction ahead of the crucial 2026 election.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
