Andy Burnham tells Scottish First Minister John Swinney again that a second independence referendum is “off limits,” ruling out IndyRef2. The Prime Minister cites Labour’s existing position, including its 2024 manifesto commitment that the party opposes another vote on Scotland’s constitutional status.
The exchange follows earlier remarks in which Swinney suggested Burnham’s comments earlier in the week amounted to a “big shift.” Multiple outlets report that Swinney has sought further clarity on whether the UK government’s stance has changed, but Burnham’s latest messages reinforce that independence and a referendum are not being pursued.
Across the reports, the core point is consistent: Burnham is maintaining Labour’s opposition to another constitutional referendum. Coverage differs mainly in emphasis, with some outlets foregrounding Swinney’s interpretation of prior statements and others focusing on the manifesto and the UK party’s reaffirmed policy position.
