Andy Burnham, the newly appointed Prime Minister, has made it clear to the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, that discussions about a new independence referendum are not to be entertained. During their initial meeting, Burnham emphasized the importance of focusing on economic growth and assisting families in coping with the rising cost of living.
In a gathering before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Burnham, the Makerfield MP, also engaged with the SNP leader to explore enhanced collaboration on devolution aimed at enhancing the lives of Scottish residents. Additionally, Burnham held discussions with Wales’ First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, as part of his visit.
A spokesperson from Downing Street shared that after congratulating Glasgow for hosting the Commonwealth Games, Burnham and the First Minister discussed building a robust model of devolution to enhance the well-being of people in Scotland. Burnham stressed the potential of deeper devolution in aiding communities to revitalize local economies, create jobs, and rejuvenate high streets. He firmly stated that diverting attention to another independence referendum would hinder progress in economic growth and supporting households financially.
The UK Government’s stance remains unchanged, with successive Prime Ministers refusing to entertain the idea of another independence vote following the 2014 referendum. Burnham has pledged to drive growth in every region, empower communities, and instill hope throughout the UK.
In response to the meeting, the Scottish Government affirmed its commitment to advocating for independence, pointing to prior elections and parliamentary votes. They also highlighted Burnham’s promise not to sideline the Scottish Parliament and Government in future discussions on devolving powers.
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