Former SNP cabinet secretary Alex Neil has launched a scathing attack on the party's leadership, claiming that First Minister John Swinney 'doesn't seem to have a clue' about how to achieve Scottish independence. Neil, who served as health secretary and social justice secretary in previous Scottish governments, argued that the SNP must focus on building public support for leaving the UK rather than engaging in parliamentary debates about the process.
Criticism of Current Strategy
Neil's comments came a day after the Scottish Parliament passed a motion backed by Swinney calling on Westminster to grant a Section 30 order, which would transfer powers to Holyrood to hold a second independence referendum. The vote was supported by SNP and Scottish Green MSPs but was immediately dismissed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with Downing Street stating that the UK Government does not support independence or another referendum.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Neil said: 'There's nothing wrong with holding the vote, but the reality is that the SNP leadership doesn't seem to have a clue on how to advance the independence cause. They know the answer they're going to get from Westminster. What they need to do now in my view is not a one-off debate, they need to run a consistent campaign to build up support for independence to a much higher level so that Westminster cannot say no.'
Lessons from Devolution
Neil urged the SNP to learn from the devolution campaign, which saw support grow between the 1979 and 1997 referendums until it became the 'settled will of the Scottish people.' He emphasised that a second independence referendum will not happen 'until we get support for independence consistently above 55% and nearer 60%.' The former MSP insisted that this is the prerequisite for success and that efforts should concentrate on persuasion rather than procedural debates.
He also called for updating the case for independence, noting that the world has changed since 2014, with Brexit and other developments altering the landscape. 'We need to spell out to people why they would be better off in an independent Scotland,' Neil added, pointing to the state of the country as a reason for urgency.
Reactions from Other Parties
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay rejected the push for a second referendum, calling it a 'monumental act of self-harm' and noting that in the recent Holyrood election, 60% of voters backed pro-Union parties. He criticised the SNP for what he described as a 'neverendum drama' and urged the government to focus on issues like taxes, schools, and NHS waiting lists.
In contrast, Swinney defended the vote, stating that it reflects the will of Parliament and vowing to raise the issue with Prime Minister Starmer next month. He declared that Westminster cannot ignore the movement for Scottish self-determination.
