\n The UK Health Secretary dismissed the prospect of a future vote on independence today, arguing that constitutional debate would only add further disruption.\n<\/p>\n
\n John Swinney<\/a> has said if the SNP wins a majority in the upcoming Holyrood<\/a> election this would act as a mandate for an independence referendum.\n<\/p>\n \n However, speaking to LBC this morning, Mr Streeting said: \u201cWe are not going to introduce chaos into the UK by having an independence referendum. Absolutely not.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe SNP would like to make this all about the constitution again to avoid their running on their domestic record.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n “The country has had enough of chaos!”<\/p>\n Wes Streeting rules out Scottish independence, telling @Lewis_Goodall<\/a> that there will be no fresh referendum even if the SNP get a majority. pic.twitter.com\/lVhk2ufozU<\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n \u2014 LBC (@LBC) April 12, 2026<\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n Asked how a second referendum could be secured in that case he replied: “Well, they’re not having one.”\n<\/p>\n \n Mr Streeting added: \u201cWe\u2019ve had the financial crash, we had years of Tory austerity, we had the catastrophe of Brexit, we\u2019ve had the war in Ukraine, the war in Iran, the Covid pandemic. I think this country\u2019s had enough of chaos.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n READ MORE:\n<\/p>\n \n His comments signal Labour\u2019s continued refusal to countenance a referendum, even if pro-independence parties secure a majority in Scotland.\n<\/p>\n \n The SNP has said “the Labour Party is sticking two fingers up at Scottish voters, and unwittingly making the case for independence, by arrogantly seeking to deny democracy”.\n<\/p>\n \n Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “The Labour Party is sticking two fingers up at Scottish voters, and unwittingly making the case for independence, by arrogantly seeking to deny democracy.\n<\/p>\n \n “The fact that senior Labour Party figures are telling Scottish voters their views and votes don’t matter is all the more reason to show them where to go on 7th May by voting SNP.\n<\/p>\n \n “The fact is that it will not be Wes Streeting, Keir Starmer<\/a> or any other Westminster politician who decide Scotland\u2019s future – it will be the people of Scotland. And an SNP majority on 7th May will unlock the fresh start of independence.”\n<\/p>\n \n He added: “Scotland is an energy-rich country with huge wealth but under the Labour Party we’re saddled with sky-high bills, Brexit and the constant chaos of Westminster control.\n<\/p>\n \n “Voting SNP on 7th May is the only way to secure a fresh start with independence and use our energy wealth to tackle the cost of living and protect our NHS.”\n<\/p>\n \n Streeting’s remarks also drew swift criticism from the Scottish Greens<\/a>, with constitutional spokesperson Patrick Harvie<\/a> accusing Labour of undermining democratic principles.\n<\/p>\n \n Mr Harvie said: \u201cLabour is showing complete contempt for Scotland and our democracy. Scotland\u2019s future isn\u2019t up to Wes Streeting or Keir Starmer, it is up to the people who live here. That\u2019s basic democracy and something Labour finds impossible to accept.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cIt is vital that we return a pro-independence majority on May 7th, otherwise Labour, Tories and Reform will put up even more barriers and undermine our Parliament even more.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe polls show that Scottish Labour<\/a> couldn\u2019t be further from power. That\u2019s because people have seen what a Labour government looks like and they don\u2019t like it. Even Anas Sarwar<\/a> accepts that Starmer isn’t fit for office.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWes Streeting and his colleagues have kept many of the cruellest Tory policies, implemented even more racist anti-migrant restrictions and armed Israel<\/a>\u2019s genocide against Gaza<\/a>. It\u2019s no wonder that so many are demanding better.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cEvery vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote for an independent Scotland and for us to use those powers to build a fairer, greener and better future away from decades of Westminster failure.\u201d\n<\/p>\n