Burnham desperately backtracks after suggesting Scotland can have another independence referendum if there is 'majority public support'

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 08:43 EDT, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 09:07 EDT, 9 September 2026 Andy Burnham was left desperately backtracking today after suggesting Scotland can have another independence referendum if there is 'majority public support'.The premier appeared to lay out the conditions for a fresh separatist vote north of the border as he was challenged at PMQs.He indicated that the same rules should apply in Scotland as in Northern Ireland, where it requires a 'clear consensus in the country'.Answering SNP MP Chris Law, Mr Burnham said: 'I would say exactly the same situation in Scotland. I am not aware that there's a majority of public support for another referendum.'And until that changes there won't be one.' Andy Burnham appeared to lay out the conditions for a fresh separatist vote in Scotland as he was challenged at PMQs Answering SNP MP Chris Law, Mr Burnham indicated that the same rules should apply in Scotland as in Northern Ireland, where it requires a 'clear consensus in the country'Mr Burnham previously told Scottish First Minister John Swinney that another referendum is not happening and they would have to 'agree to disagree' on the issue.The SNP leader gleefully seized on the Commons blunder this afternoon.'To go from ''off limits'' to this is an acceptance of the reality that the people of Scotland will decide their own future - not the UK Government,' Mr Swinney posted on X. 'For the first time since 2014, a British Prime Minister accepts that majority support for a referendum should mean one takes place.' Downing Street pointed to the PM's stance that a vote is 'off the table'. Mr Burnham's press secretary said: 'The PM has been repeatedly clear on this.'In his call with the Scottish First Minister in his first week, the PM stated up front that another referendum on independence was off limits.'As our election manifesto makes clear, Labour does not support independence or another referendum.'Scots voted by a margin of 55 per cent to 45 per cent to stay in the UK in the 2014 referendum.That contest was described as a 'once in a generation' decision, but the SNP has since been pushing for a rerun.