What's happened
As Scotland marks the tenth anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum, political leaders reflect on the past decade's challenges and the future of the independence movement. John Swinney's recent comments signal a cautious approach, while Nicola Sturgeon remains optimistic about Scotland's path to independence despite recent electoral setbacks.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Scotsman highlights the reflections of various political figures on the tenth anniversary of the independence referendum, noting that while John Swinney emphasizes a need for rebuilding trust, Nicola Sturgeon remains confident in the independence cause. Fergus Ewing's criticisms of the SNP's current direction underscore the internal challenges the party faces. Sky News reports on Swinney's cautious stance, indicating a shift from previous more aggressive independence rhetoric, while also acknowledging the party's recent electoral struggles. Overall, the coverage illustrates a complex landscape where optimism for independence coexists with significant political hurdles.
How we got here
The 2014 independence referendum saw Scotland vote 55% to 45% to remain in the UK. Since then, the SNP has faced significant electoral challenges, including a recent decline in support and internal party strife, prompting leaders to reassess their strategies for independence.
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More on these topics
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Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician serving as the fifth First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party since November 2014. She is the first woman to hold either position.
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Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
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Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond is a Scottish politician who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party for over 20 years, serving two terms, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
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Humza Haroon Yousaf MSP is a Scottish National Party politician who has been Cabinet Secretary for Justice since 26 June 2018 and the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Pollok since 2016.
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John Ramsay Swinney is a Scottish politician serving as Deputy First Minister of Scotland since 2014 and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2016.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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The 2014 Scottish independence referendum was an independence referendum held on 18 September 2014 concerning Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
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David William Donald Cameron is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. He was the Member of Parliament for Witney from 2001 to 2016 and leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016.