Scottish Education Secretary Mairi McAllan stated that an independence referendum for Scotland is still under consideration and not off the table, emphasizing it as a means for Scotland to pursue its own future independently. This comes after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s assertion in Parliament that such a referendum is “off limits,” despite Labour Party leader Andy Burnham suggesting otherwise. McAllan argues that discussions about independence are necessary given the unsustainable nature of the current UK status quo, while Sunak claims these talks divert attention from addressing economic and social issues in Scotland.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
This week, Scotland's potential independence from the UK resurfaced after Labour leader Andy Burnham suggested a new referendum could be held if desired by Scottish voters. Downing Street quickly denied any softening of their stance on the matter, maintaining that the current constitutional arrangement is "off limits." In response, Mairi McAllan, Scotland’s Education Secretary, stated that an independence referendum is still possible and not off the table. She emphasized during a BBC appearance that discussions about Scottish independence are crucial for allowing Scotland to pursue its own interests independently in the world. Additionally, Ms. McAllan asserted that the status quo within the UK is unsustainable, citing support from first ministers of Northern Ireland and Wales for leaving the UK.
Written for “Scottish Independence Referendum” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.45, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 4 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 8643: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-13
Separation from the UK was thrust into the fore again this week after Andy Burnham said in the House of Commons another vote would be allowed if the majority of people in Scotland wanted it.
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majority → thrust → it
The comments were seized on as a potential softening of the UK Government’s position, though Downing Street was quick to reject such claims, re-affirming that the constitutional arrangement in Scotland was “off limits”.
John Swinney is due to meet Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill in Cardiff on Monday, as well as take part in a series of engagements with the Welsh Government.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Show, Scottish Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “An independence referendum is not off the table.
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referendum → seize → table
“We devote time to it because it is the transformational change that allows Scotland to stand on its own two feet in the world and to fulsomely pursue the better that we want.”
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we → devote → that
The “status quo in the UK is unsustainable”, Ms McAllan added, pointing to the first ministers of both Northern Ireland and Wales being in support of leaving the UK.
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ministers → add → UK
“The only people who, until last week anyway, didn’t appear to understand that were the UK Government.
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who → appear → that
“But the Prime Minister stood at the despatch box in the House of Commons last week and was clear that Scotland must have a route to choose our own future, so we just want that agreed now in a legal format so that we can take forward our mandate in Scotland.”
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we → stand → Scotland
In a letter to the First Minister this week, the Prime Minister said he had been “highlighting that there is no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland”.
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he → say → Scotland
He told Mr Swinney: “As I made clear to you personally when we met recently in Glasgow, independence and a referendum are off limits as it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living.”
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it → tell → living
Read More
He added: “Every time John Swinney talks about independence and invites us to talk about independence, that is time that should be spent talking about how to grow the Scottish economy, how to improve Scottish schools, how to make the NHS work better, how to make transport in Scotland work better, how to bring ferries to the islands.
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transport → read → islands
“Talking about about that issue is a deliberate tactic in order to move scrutiny away from the day-to-day performance of the Scottish Government.”
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Talking → talk → Government
