Burnham Rules Out 2nd Scottish Vote as He Meets Devolved Leaders at 2026 Games
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Burnham Rules Out 2nd Scottish Vote as He Meets Devolved Leaders at 2026 Games
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Summary
Downing Street said Andy Burnham told John Swinney another Scottish independence referendum was “off limits” during talks in Glasgow ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
Those meetings instead centered on inter-government relations and Burnham’s devolution agenda, which he framed as a way to boost growth, revive local economies and ease cost-of-living pressures.
John Swinney called the discussion “very constructive” and said Burnham promised any further devolution to Scottish communities would not bypass Holyrood.
Rhun ap Iorwerth used his separate meeting to press for Wales to gain parity with Scotland, including policing and justice powers and a funding model to replace the Barnett formula.
The talks opened what both devolved leaders cast as a more collaborative phase with London, even as Burnham shut down any near-term route to a second independence vote.