Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCraig PatonSunday 13 September 2026 14:34 BST(Getty)Scottish Education Secretary Mairi McAllan has insisted a fresh vote on Scottish independence remains "not off the table", arguing that the current status quo in the UK is unsustainable and that independence is necessary to allow Scotland to pursue a better future.The Prime Minister firmly rejected suggestions of a softened UK Government stance following remarks by Andy Burnham in the House of Commons, writing to First Minister John Swinney to reaffirm that a referendum remains "off limits" to focus on growing the economy.Mairi McAllan highlighted growing momentum for constitutional change across devolved nations, noting that the first ministers of Northern Ireland and Wales support leaving the UK, and urged the Westminster government to formally agree a legal route for a vote.First Minister John Swinney is scheduled to travel to Cardiff on Monday to meet with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill, alongside participating in engagements with the Welsh Government.Former Conservative minister Lord Michael Gove backed the Prime Minister's position, claiming that continuous calls for an independence referendum are a deliberate tactic by the Scottish Government to divert public scrutiny away from its performance on public services.In fullIndependence referendum ‘not off the table’ amid meeting between Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in