Scottish independence vote trigger met, minister says

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has declared that the criteria for a new Scottish independence referendum has already been met. She expressed doubt that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham holds a strong unionist stance, following his previous comments about the union. Gilruth made these remarks as Scottish First Minister John Swinney is seeking a legal mechanism for another vote from Westminster.

Together, Gilruth met with Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin leaders in Cardiff to sign an agreement for referendums on leaving the UK. Gilruth called this meeting a "hugely significant political moment." When asked about the trigger for another referendum, she did not propose an arbitrary number but emphasized respecting the right of Scottish people.

She highlighted that with 73 independence-supporting MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, a historical high, the current constitutional framework is broken and not working for the Scottish people. Gilruth also stated that if the UK were a voluntary union, there should be a democratic means to leave it. This came after Burnham stated that another Scottish vote could happen if there was a clear consensus north of the border.

However, Burnham later said the constitution was off-limits. Gilruth noted Burnham's shift as significant, describing him as a "pro-devolution Prime Minister" despite his earlier language in 2022 that the constitutional question was not settled. Burnham suggested in his 2022 interview that the constitutional question was not settled, but he personally disliked the idea of a border between England and Scotland.

The UK Government spokesperson emphasized Burnham's commitment to delivering change across the UK and his belief in the Union, stating that the UK works best when people come together on shared values and problem-solving rather than division.