𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

John Swinney has made a fresh push for another vote on Scottish independence with the publication of a draft Referendum Bill. Draft legislation sets out the question for the referendum, which would ask: “Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No”.

The Scottish Government said the Bill will be introduced at Holyrood once the necessary powers are secured. Scotland’s First Minister said: “The world has changed fundamentally since 2014. So has the UK, and so has Scotland.”

He added that while people living in the UK endure flatlining living standards and economic damage from Brexit, countries all around the UK are enjoying a higher quality of life and have more wealth to invest in their public services.

Mr Swinney said this is often without a fraction of the abundant resources and economic strengths Scotland enjoys.

His boast came days after it emerged the Scottish National Investment Bank set up by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon made a net loss of almost £138million last year.

The leader of the Scottish National Party had said during the Holyrood election campaign earlier this year that he would seek to push forward with plans to achieve independence if the SNP was voted back into power.

In the days after the SNP Government was re-elected in May, a motion in the Scottish Parliament to urge Westminster to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve the powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on Scottish independence passed by 72 votes to 55.

Mr Swinney said: “This draft Bill is simple, straightforward and direct. It proposes a clear, unambiguous question, sets out who can vote in the referendum, and, once agreed, will include the date.

“It provides people with certainty. What is now needed is the UK Government to respect the voice of the Scottish people and Parliament and transfer the necessary powers.”

The UK Government has rejected calls for a second referendum. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will not consider agreeing to a second vote.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister made clear to the First Minister in their first meeting that another referendum on independence was off the table.

“It would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living. We will continue working with the Scottish Government and other partners to build a fairer country for everyone.”

Russell Findlay, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, tweeted: “Swinney’s at it again. He could choose to reduce NHS waiting lists, cut taxes and benefits, fix public services, clean the streets, fill the pot-holes, tackle crime etc. But instead it’s the usual tedious and time-wasting SNP obsession of breaking up our great country.”