Tories: Indyref threat is real... other parties are in denial

By MICHAEL BLACKLEY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 21:39, 13 April 2026 | Updated: 21:39, 13 April 2026 The Scottish leaders of Reform UK and the other main pro-Union parties have been accused of being ‘either pathetically weak or in denial’ about the threat of another independence referendum. The Scottish Conservatives condemned other leaders for failing to stand up firmly against John Swinney’s renewed push to hold a vote on Scotland’s future in the UK if the SNP secures a majority in next month’s Holyrood elections. It follows Sunday night’s first televised leader’s debate of the campaign, when none of the other leaders emphatically opposed another referendum – and Reform’s Lord Malcolm Offord even suggested that 60 per cent support for independence in the polls may justify another vote on the issue in the future. Mr Swinney refused to outline his ‘secret plan’ to secure another referendum if he wins a majority but claimed Scotland was stuck in a ‘constitutional logjam’ – even though it is his own party that has relentlessly demanded another vote since Scots decisively voted No in 2014. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘John Swinney is deadly serious about breaking up the UK, and he put his plans up in neon lights last night. If the SNP win a majority, which he thinks is in the bag, Swinney will push relentlessly for an independence referendum. He even said it could be held in 2028. ‘The threat is real and obvious, yet Russell Findlay is the only opposition party leader alive to it and prepared to stand up to Swinney on Scotland’s place in the Union. The other party leaders showed breathtaking complacency. They are either pathetically weak or in denial about Swinney’s intentions. ‘Reform are fielding pro-independence candidates, and Lord Offord again provided Swinney with a route map to another referendum. Reform can’t claim to be a Unionist party when they are so soft on this issue. ‘Last night’s debate was a wake-up call to pro-UK voters. John Swinney will ignore the day job and devote all his attention to his independence obsession if he wins the election outright. That’s why it’s imperative that they vote Scottish Conservative on their peach ballot – to stop an SNP majority.’ Rachael Hamilton, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives The leaders of the six main parties were all questioned about another referendum during a BBC Debate Night leaders special in Paisley on Sunday night. Lord Offord said Alex Salmond won a majority which led to the 2014 referendum and there was ‘consensus’ between Holyrood and Westminster for it to take place, while polling indicated people wanted it. He said people do not currently want the ‘rancour’ of another referendum. When pressed on whether he was ‘relaxed’ about another referendum he said that ‘if there was an appetite at 60 per cent or so for another referendum that would be a different point of view but right now that is not the case’. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it is for those who support independence to set out the route to another vote, and said his party won 37 seats in the general election in 2024 when the SNP won nine after his party stood on a manifesto opposing another referendum. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex-Cole Hamilton said he has not given the issue ‘a moment’s thought’. Mr Swinney said an ‘emphatic’ victory for the SNP would lead to another referendum, and claimed Scotland is ‘stuck in a constitutional logjam’. When asked whose fault that was, he said it is ‘the fault of Westminster’ because there has been a majority of MSPs supporting another referendum for a decade. The SNP leader also insisted it is ‘perfectly conceivable’ that another referendum could take place by 2028. Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said any majority of MSPs from pro-independence parties after the election should be considered another mandate for a referendum. The leaders are due to go head to head again tonight (TUE) in the second televised debate on Channel 4. Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chairman Wendy Chamberlain said: ‘In target constituencies like Inverness & Nairn and on the peach regional ballot, the Scottish Liberal Democrats are on the verge of winning new seats. Meanwhile there is not a single poll or projection which shows the Scottish Conservatives picking up seats. ‘With their half-hearted campaign continuing to bleed support on all sides, they’re retreating into their comfort zone, complaining about independence and getting nothing done. ‘Among the general public, the conversation has moved on. People care about access to local healthcare and tackling the cost of living so that is what Scottish Liberal Democrats will focus on. Back us on the peach regional ballot and remove useless Conservatives and nationalists alike.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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