politics
Incoming UK Labour Leader Rules Out Powers for Scottish Independence Referendum Despite Holyrood Motion
Andy Burnham told Scottish Labour MPs he opposes granting Holyrood authority for a second referendum. The BBC reported the comments last week as Burnham prepares to succeed Keir Starmer by the end of July 2026. First Minister John Swinney seeks a vote by 2028 after the SNP's May election win.
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Andy Burnham has said he would not consider agreeing to a second referendum on Scottish independence, the BBC reported. The Labour MP, who is expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer by the end of July 2026, confirmed his position in a meeting with Scottish Labour MPs. Burnham told the MPs last week that he would not grant Holyrood the powers needed to hold a referendum.
He made the comments after a parliamentary colleague asked for his views on the issue. First Minister John Swinney aims to hold a referendum by 2028. The SNP won a comfortable victory in the May 2026 Holyrood election, though it fell short of a majority.
The Scottish government has passed a motion calling on UK ministers to issue a Section 30 order that would authorize such a vote, as occurred before the 2014 referendum. A Downing Street spokesperson stated that the UK government does not support Scottish independence or a referendum. Any referendum requires approval by the UK government.
SNP MSP Alyn Smyth said he is waiting to hear Burnham speak publicly on the matter. Support for independence has remained steady at about 50 percent in recent months, while support for the SNP dropped compared with the 2021 election, Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney noted.
