Swinney claims independence has shifted

First Minister John Swinney says the push for Scottish independence has turned a corner, pointing to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's comments that Scotland could have another vote.

Swinney cites cross-party agreement

Swinney also points to an agreement between leaders of pro-independence parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as evidence the independence case has moved on.

Burnham walks back his comments

Within hours of Swinney's remarks, Prime Minister Andy Burnham walked back his position, reaffirming his view that Scottish independence is off limits.

SNP's May election win matters

Speaking ahead of the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Swinney said the party's election victory for a fifth term means the independence question must be addressed again.

“we've also, I think, turned the corner on the independence argument where we are now in a completely different situation”

Polling shows public remains divided

Ipsos Scotland managing director Emily Gray said the public remains divided on independence with no recent change, and any referendum would be too close to call.

“if there was a referendum tomorrow it would be too close to call”

No settled majority for independence

Gray said polling shows no settled majority of the Scottish public in favour of independence or staying in the union, with opinion split roughly fifty fifty.

“you cannot say on the basis of the polling there is a settled will of the Scottish public in favour of independence”