John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members

SNP members have backed John Swinney's plan to declare a mandate for a second independence referendum, if the party wins a majority of seats in next year's Holyrood election.

The first minister's strategy was endorsed ahead of a bid to make the 2026 ballot a de-facto vote on independence.

Swinney told the SNP conference in Aberdeen his proposals were the most realistic way of pursuing the goal, based on a previous precedent which brought about the 2014 referendum.

Sir Keir Starmer, who would have to agree to a new vote, previously said he could not imagine indyref 2 taking place during his time as prime minister.