Ash Regan calls for Scottish Independence to be “front and centre” of John Swinney’s Programme for Government

ACTION on Scottish independence must feature prominently in the Programme for Government, says Ash Regan. 

The Alba MSP wants to see First Minister John Swinney set out the actions his Government will take to advance the case for Scottish independence in the run up to next year’s Scottish Parliament elections. 

First Minister, John Swinney, will deliver his Programme for Government tomorrow, on Tuesday 6th May. 

The First Minister announced last month that he would bring forward the Programme for Government from its expected publication date post-summer to enable a full year of delivery before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

As part of this year’s Scottish budget, the Alba MSP supported the Scottish Government’s spending plans in exchange for progress on free school meals rollout and the universal eligibility of a new Scottish winter fuel payment benefit. 

However, one year out from the Scottish Parliament elections, Ash Regan says that the Scottish Government’s plan for how it intends to progress the case for Scottish independence must feature “front and centre” of John Swinney’s plans tomorrow. 

Last year, in his first ever PfG as First Minister, John Swinney did not make reference to independence when he addressed parliament. 

Commenting Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP said: 

"During John Swinney’s tenure as First Minister there has been a greater commitment to working across the chamber. This year’s Scottish budget, in which Alba helped deliver more free school meals and a universal Scottish winter fuel payment, is testament to that. 

"However, last year the word ‘independence’ was not mentioned once in the Programme for Government statement to Parliament. I am calling for action on independence, a drive towards governing competently again and focus to be put back onto the people’s agenda of health, the economy, jobs and the protection of women and children.

"The case for independence has never been stronger so we must stop looking over the fence at England and put an ambitious vision for Scotland front and centre in the First Minister’s Programme for Government.”