Could John Swinney hold a Scottish independence referendum in 2028?

The UK Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the Scottish Parliament lacks the power to legislate for a second referendum on independence without UK Government consent via a Section 30 order. John Swinney states an independence referendum is 'perfectly conceivable' by 2028 if the SNP secures a majority in the May 2026 Holyrood election, prioritising negotiations for the vote. Unionist parties and critics argue UK ministers would block it, focusing instead on domestic priorities like the NHS and economy ahead of the election.