Starmer says no independence referendum while he is PM

Keir Starmer has said he cannot imagine another Scottish independence referendum taking place during his time as prime minister.

The Labour leader insisted it was more important to focus on the economy than the constitution, in remarks described as "a bit arrogant" by the SNP.

Scotland's first minister John Swinney recently said he wanted to achieve "demonstrable " for independence.

But Starmer - who visited Scotland ahead of Thursday's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election - said "nobody's raising that with me as their first priority".

In an interview broadcast on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, the prime minister said an SNP victory at next year's Holyrood elections would not change his mind.

"I think it's really important to focus on the priorities that matter most," he said.

"We got a big election win last year on the basis that we would stabilise the economy and ensure that on that foundation we built a stronger Scotland in a stronger United Kingdom and that's what I intend to do."

Starmer told the programme his recent talks with John Swinney had not focused on independence.

He said: "Nobody's raising that with me as their first priority, certainly in the discussions I'm having with the first minister.

"We're talking about jobs, energy, security and dealing with the cost of living crisis."

However SNP MP Stephen Gethins told Good Morning Scotland the prime minister's remarks were disappointing to hear.

He said: "It's a bit disappointing and maybe a little bit arrogant of the prime minister to think he can speak for everyone. This shouldn't be an issue that's decided by one person, this should be a matter for the people of Scotland."

Gethins added: "There is a significant question for pro-union politicians like Keir Starmer which is, what is the test for an independence referendum? You can't just keep on saying no."

Last month, the first minister talked about securing "demonstrable " for independence.

Swinney compared this to the 1997 referendum for a Scottish parliament, which was backed by around 74% of Scots.

But the SNP leader also told BBC Scotland News that it was "completely unacceptable" for the independence movement "to be thwarted by a Westminster government that just folds its arms and says 'no'."

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes accused Starmer of "ignoring the issues that people in Scotland care about".

She said it was her government's job to show Scots "why they don't need to be content with the revolving door of a Labour and a Tory and perhaps even a Reform prime minister".

The SNP MSP added: "It's Keir Starmer that's opened the door to Nigel Farage by completely disappointing everybody who voted for change."

Former Conservative minister Michael Gove has said there could be a second Scottish independence referendum if the public show "overwhelming " for one.

Gove, who sat in the cabinet for most of the period between 2010 and 2024, said he didn't think another referendum was necessary.

However, he conceded that the UK government may have to change approach if SNP popularity and for another vote grows.

Gove was part of a government that rejected requests from the Scottish government for a second referendum.

He denied that this was anti-democratic and insisted that Scotland had "more important" issues to deal with.

Gove now suggests that the likelihood of a second independence vote was linked to the SNP's ability to improve public services.

"If, for the sake of argument, the SNP make all of those decisions in government in a way that gives people confidence in them then we might be in a different position [on a second referendum]," he said.

Independence has slipped down the political agenda since the UK Supreme Court ruled that any new referendum would need to be agreed by the UK government.

There was also the heavy defeat of the SNP by Labour at last year's UK general election.

That doesn't mean the issue has gone away entirely. for independence remains relatively strong in opinion polls even if it is not the most pressing issue for most voters.

In his first period in office, John Swinney has decided to concentrate on trying to deliver improvements in public services and reducing child poverty.

If he can show genuine progress by the Holyrood election next year, he hopes that will rebuild trust with Scottish voters and sustain him in power.

He wants to build for independence over time until the case for another referendum becomes difficult for any UK government to resist.

Expect the SNP to talk up Scotland's prospects as an independent country as the Holyrood vote draws nearer and for their pro-union rivals to argue that staying part of the UK is a better option in an unstable world.