Full Breakdown
SNP’s Election Loss Fuels Liberal Democrat Claim They Have No Right to Push Independence Referendum
5/12/2026, 9:00:36 PM
Election Result and Immediate Reaction
On 7 May 2024, the Scottish Parliament election left the SNP as the largest party but seven seats short of a majority. First Minister John Swinney has said a clear majority is needed before Westminster would consider a second independence referendum (IndyRef2). Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, whose party gained seats from the SNP, argued the SNP “has no right to (talk about it)” and urged a focus on health, schools and cost-of-living issues.
Background: Referendum Preconditions
Swinney maintains that only an overall Holyrood majority can trigger a new referendum request to Westminster. The 2014 vote followed a UK-wide political agreement, and the SNP says a comparable democratic mandate is required for any further constitutional vote.
Official Statements & Responses
Cole-Hamilton said the result “sent a clear message” to pause constitutional debate and prioritize the NHS, school standards and living-cost relief, refusing to join any cross-party independence convention. The SNP, citing MSP George Adam, noted a record number of pro-independence MSPs and called the vote a “clear mandate” for Swinney to pursue the party’s manifesto, including the independence agenda.
Criticism & Opposition
The Liberal Democrats argue that lacking an overall majority breaches the SNP’s own referendum criteria and removes democratic legitimacy. The SNP counters that the increased share of pro-independence MSPs shows sustained public support and that Westminster must recognise a democratic route for Scotland’s future.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Cole-Hamilton - whose party defeated the SNP in several seats - said "I don’t think they have any right to (talk about it).” — Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader
- “He has manifestly failed in that mission.” — Alex Cole-Hamilton
- “ SNP MSP George Adam said: “This is now the fourth parliament in a row that has a majority of MSPs who back independence for Scotland and we now have a record number of pro-independence MSPs elected to our Parliament.” — George Adam, SNP MSP
- “It’s beyond time for Westminster to agree what the democratic route is for Scotland to decide her own future, otherwise it’s hard not to conclude that this is not a union of equals.” — George Adam, SNP MSP
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Liberal Democrat commentary stresses the lack of an overall majority as a barrier to a legitimate referendum demand, while SNP representatives point to the record number of pro-independence MSPs as evidence of a democratic mandate. No source clarifies Westminster’s interpretation of these opposing claims.
What’s Next
John Swinney must be re-elected as First Minister, a vote that will require support from at least one other party. Cole-Hamilton says he will vote against Swinney while staying open to case-by-case talks. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney’s suggestion of a cross-party convention on independence remains unsettled, leaving the procedural route for any future referendum unclear.
