John Swinney relaunches Scottish independence campaign at SNP conference

At the Scottish National Party (SNP) annual conference in Aberdeen, First Minister John Swinney has officially relaunched the campaign for Scottish independence. Swinney declared that the movement is gaining momentum and that “Scotland is ready to be independent,” framing independence as the primary pathway for the nation to rejoin the European Union and escape the consequences of Brexit.

The First Minister announced the launch of a sophisticated nationwide campaign titled “Choose Scotland,” which will be supported by a six-figure budget. Swinney emphasized that 2026 represents a turning point in the journey toward statehood and noted that nationalist leaders in Wales and Northern Ireland have also signaled support for the right to self-determination.

In a personal moment during his keynote address, Swinney expressed his emotional commitment to the cause, stating his desire to build a better nation for his teenage son.

Beyond constitutional issues, Swinney pledged to introduce new legislation to make harassment and abuse based on misogyny a specific criminal offence before the summer recess. He also highlighted social measures, including the continuation of the £2 bus fare cap and plans to bring the Scottish bus network under public control by 2031.