JOHN Swinney will request a Section 30 order from the Prime Minister when they meet in “the next few weeks” following Holyrood calling for powers over an independence referendum to be devolved.
The First Minister told Bauer Media on Wednesday that he expects to meet with Keir Starmer, following a phone call between the two leaders following the Holyrood election, which returned a record majority of pro-independence MSPs.
Swinney said that the request will be “fortified and strengthened by the democratic view of the Scottish Parliament”.
It comes after Downing Street rejected the Scottish Parliament’s call for a second referendum around 12 minutes after Swinney’s motion passed.
The First Minister said Westminster cannot continue to “deny democracy”.
Asked when he will formally submit a Section 30 order request, Swinney said: “Well, I expect to have discussions with the Prime Minister in the next few weeks.
“He offered that in a telephone call the other week there.
“So, I intend to take those issues forward. In short order I will be taking forward those discussions.
“But what I will be doing, and what is different, is I will be doing that with the express support of the Scottish Parliament, wishing to see the powers around the calling of a referendum on independence held by the Scottish Parliament, and the ability of the Parliament to call a referendum that will take Scotland's future into Scotland's hands.”
Pressed on if that would be a formal Section 30 order request, the First Minister said: “I will be making that proposal to the Prime Minister, but I will be making it fortified and strengthened by the democratic view of the Scottish Parliament, which is that the Scottish Parliament should decide on whether we have a referendum on independence and quite clearly give the people of Scotland the opportunity to decide on their constitutional future.”
In response to Downing Street’s almost immediate rejection, the First Minister said: “Westminster cannot deny democracy, and that is the fundamental issue that I have got to make sure is central to this debate in the years to come.
“There are democratic choices available to people in Scotland, and they should be taken forward by the Scottish Parliament.
“Parliament decided last night that there should be the powers to hold a referendum on independence held by the Scottish Parliament, and that is exactly what I am going to press the Prime Minister to agree to.”
Asked if Starmer continues to say no and if his “secret plan” will kick in, Swinney said he had a “number of steps” to advance the arguments around independence.
“But I will do it in a rational, orderly fashion,” he added.
“I asked Parliament for its support last night for a Section 30 order to be requested, so that the Scottish Parliament could have the power over the calling of an independence referendum.
“That is exactly what I will take forward, and will take further steps in the light of those conversations.”
