FIRST Minister John Swinney has told the new Prime Minister that with a pro-independence majority in Holyrood, the future of Scotland must be "decided by the people of Scotland".
In their first phone-call conversation since Andy Burnham took over from Keir Starmer, Swinney set out his "commitment to both governments working constructively together to address the cost-of-living crisis and to lower energy bills," while also making the case for independence.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said that the First Minister "set out the majority within the Scottish Parliament", which includes 15 Scottish Green MSPs and 57 SNP MSPs, arguing that this pro-independence stance shows that there is a mandate "for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland".
He also said that he looks "forward to a constructive dialogue on this issue."
Swinney also invited the new Prime Minister to Bute House "at the earliest opportunity".
Following Burnham's appointment on Monday the First Minister extended his congratulations to him while also saying that the UK Government has "failed Scotland", saying in a statement: "Congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister – the UK’s 7th in 10 years.
"He is right that Westminster has failed Scotland. I will work with him to improve the lives of people in Scotland, and to deliver the choice over our future that they have voted for."
Speaking to the Press Association he also warned against reappointing Douglas Alexander to the post of Scotland Secretary, saying relations had deteriorated between the two Government's since he was given the job in September 2025.
Alexander was confirmed to have retained his job on Monday night, leaving Downing Street just after 11pm saying he was "very happy".
In the same interview Swinney said he wanted to engage in a “constructive dialogue” with Burnham but said that securing a route to another referendum would remain a key priority for his Government.
Congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister - the UK’s 7th in 10 years. He is right that Westminster has failed Scotland. I will work with him to improve the lives of people in Scotland, and to deliver the choice over our future that they have voted for.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) July 20, 2026
The First Minister told reporters: “What I want to do is engage in a constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister about making sure that the mandate I’ve received from the people of Scotland can be turned into reality, and the people of Scotland can have an opportunity to decide their constitutional future through a referendum on independence.”
“We’ve got to respect democracy here,” he added.
“The people of Scotland democratically elected the largest number of members of the Scottish Parliament ever to support the concept of Scottish independence and the right of the people to decide that in a referendum.
“So that’s the approach that I’ll advance with the Prime Minister, and I look forward to doing that to turn the mandate that I received from the people of Scotland into reality.”
The First Minister also said Scotland’s energy should be “in Scotland’s hands”, before adding: “That way the energy wealth of Scotland can be used for the benefit of the people of Scotland.”
The Scottish Greens have also hit out at Burnham's refusal to engage on independence, branding the move "anti-democratic".
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP said: “Andy Burnham promised change, but on day one it is already ringing hollow and Scotland is getting the same old Westminster stitch-up.
“His refusal to recognise Scotland’s right to choose its own future is the same position taken by every Prime Minister for more than a decade. It is anti-democratic, and it is not the new politics that he promised just a few days ago.
“There is nothing new about denying democracy. Andy Burnham has built his whole reputation on devolving power and doing things differently, but this is already looking like the same old Westminster rule.
Gillian added: “The Scottish Greens believe in democracy, it was democratic choice that returned a record-breaking 15 Green MSPs to Holyrood, securing the biggest ever majority of MSPs in favour of Scotland’s right to choose our own future, and it was the same democratic choice that rejected Scottish Labour once again.
“Scotland has been clear time and time again. Our future must be decided by the people who live here, not dictated by another unelected Prime Minister in Westminster.
“People of Scotland deserve the opportunity to vote on independence and choose the kind of country they want Scotland to become. No Prime Minister should have the power to deny that choice.”
