2025 Scottish Independence Referendum (IndyScotland2025)

The second Scottish independence referendum was held alongside devolved Scottish Parliament elections on 6th May 2025. This was an eagerly anticipated and passionately fought campaign by both sides, with the 'Leave' campaign, run by Nicola Sturgeon, winning. The 'Stay' campaign, run by Douglas Ross, lost, which prompted his resignation as Scottish Conservative leader. This result immediately triggered the transition process for Scotland leaving the UK, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing that he accepted and respected the result of the plebiscite after it was made clear the 'Leave' campaign had won. Talks between the Scottish and UK governments soon begun, with Nicola Sturgeon, Kate Forbes and Alyn Smith representing Scotland at the negotiating table and Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and Rachel Reeves representing the UK.

Background
After the 2024 UK General election, Keir Starmer's Labour Party was elected by a landslide, fuelled by anger at Boris Johnson's Conservative Party. Keir Starmer gained a lot of support in Scotland after announcing that he would sanction a Section 30 order for a Scottish independence referendum. He won many Labour strongholds back in Scotland due to the SNP standing down their candidates as a last resort for independence, much like that of Sinn Fein. The Liberal Democrats also gained seats in the Highlands and North East of Scotland due to this move by the SNP.