Swinney will call vote on referendum powers after Scottish elections

John Swinney, leader of the Scottish National Party, plans to call a vote on securing independence referendum powers in the next Scottish parliament on its first day, even if he fails to secure an overall majority in the 7 May elections. His aides indicated he may rely on support from the pro-independence Scottish Greens to pass the vote and demand legal authority for a second referendum from the UK government.