The Scottish National Party (SNP) has voted overwhelmingly to back a plan by Humza Yousaf to use the next UK general election result as a means to push for a second independence referendum. The revised strategy was adopted during the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen, with the plan predicated on the SNP winning a majority of Scottish seats, representing at least 29 out of 57 constituencies. This, the proposal argued, would provide a mandate to push for a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Initially, the proposal had been based on the SNP winning the “most” seats. However, the new strategy argues that winning the majority of seats would give the SNP a stronger mandate to pursue independence negotiations. During the conference, Yousaf urged the party to focus on its independence strategy, arguing it should be at the “front and centre” of the SNP’s general election campaign. He also pledged that line one, page one of the party’s manifesto would read “Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country.”
While some SNP members publicly opposed the independence proposal, the party officially has launched a new strategy on independence. The SNP hopes winning a majority of Scottish seats (at least 29) in the next general election will lay the foundation for Scottish independence. SNP insiders believe a majority of seats will potentially provide them with a stronger mandate for independence negotiations.
However, Scotland’s First Minister may face headwinds from the UK government. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently stated that the question of Scottish independence had already been “settled” in the 2014 referendum. The SNP’s proposal is also predicated on eventual discussions with the UK government. This negotiation could involve powers being transferred to Holyrood, enabling MSPs to decide when an independence vote occurs, or potentially a referendum on Scottish independence. Whether the UK government will engage in these discussions remains to be seen
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