Scottish First Minister John Swinney tells delegates at the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen that the “stars are aligning” for independence, presenting 2026 as a turning point in Scotland’s “journey to nationhood.” He is scheduled to close the conference on Saturday.
Multiple outlets also report that fresh polling this week suggests public support for independence is not settled. The Herald Scotland says three polls indicate Scots are split on the constitution, and that independence ranks well below the cost of living when respondents list their top priorities. Other coverage focuses mainly on Swinney’s remarks and the timing of the conference speech, without emphasizing poll results to the same extent.
