Swinney says he will win independence vote in 2028 and run for election in 2031

First Minister John Swinney believes he can win a Scottish independence referendum in 2028 – and will then run to be the first leader of an independent Scotland in 2031 (Mike Boyd/PA) -

John Swinney believes he can win an independence referendum in 2028 – with the SNP leader vowing he will then run to be the first leader in an independent Scotland in 2031.

Having set the SNP the target of winning a majority of seats in next month’s Holyrood election in a bid to force another vote on the future of the UK, Mr Swinney is confident that independence supporters will be successful second time round.