# John Swinney Launches 'Choose Scotland' Independence Campaign with Six-Figure Fund

> Scotland's First Minister announced a new campaign for a second independence referendum, pledging significant financial backing at the SNP conference.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-17T20:47:34.123752Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/john-swinney-launches-choose-scotland-independence-campaign-with-six-figure-fund-2c048d0d

On October 17, 2026, Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, John Swinney, launched the 'Choose Scotland' campaign for a second Scottish independence referendum at the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen, backed by a "six-figure war chest" [1][3]. This initiative represents a renewed effort by the SNP to build public support for Scotland separating from the United Kingdom [1].

The 'Choose Scotland' campaign aims to persuade Scottish residents of the advantages of independence and could significantly alter the political future of Scotland and its relationship with the European Union [1][11]. Swinney described the initiative as the party's "most sophisticated campaign" to date [1].

## What the records show
The 'Choose Scotland' strategy includes surveying 1.5 million people, broadcasting a pro-independence political message, and conducting digital advertisements [11]. The campaign's initial phase began with a national day of action around St Andrew's Day on November 30 and is expected to continue until Christmas [11]. The core message emphasizes Scotland's control over its own decisions, particularly concerning energy and international relations, while advocating for re-entry into the European Union and greater political autonomy for managing elderly care [11].

The SNP disclosed a deficit of £455,254 during 2024, a shift from a surplus of £661,568 in 2023, according to financial records [8]. The party also carries a £60,000 loan from former chief executive Peter Murrell, who was jailed for five years and three months for embezzling over £400,000 from the party [6][9]. The 2024 accounts indicate this loan "may be 'written off'" [6].

## What Swinney said
Addressing the SNP conference, his first since winning his own mandate as First Minister in May, Swinney expressed confidence that "the stars are aligning" for independence [4][7]. He cited support for self-determination from First Ministers in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, asserting Scotland's right to self-governance as a nation [4]. Swinney described 2026 as a "turning point" toward statehood and conveyed a personal commitment to independence, stating he seeks to leave Scotland "a better place" for his son [4][7].

## What we could not confirm
PrimaryBrief could not confirm the exact dates or legislative steps the SNP plans to take to secure a commitment for a second independence referendum from the UK government. The specific details of how the "six-figure war chest" will be allocated and its full scope were not further detailed in the available records.

## Evidence cited
1. SNP says campaign for next referendum on independence ‘has already begun’ (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/17/snp-campaign-second-referendum-independence-john-swinney
2. The SNP pledges to bring forward a vote on the first sitting day of the new Scottish parliament to approve a section 30 order granting Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum. ... SNP, '100 days of a new SNP government', 27 April 2026, retrieved 6 May 2026, www.snp.org/first-minister-john-swinneys-speech-on-the-snps-plan-for-the-first-100-days-of-the-next-parliament/ They also pledge to publish a draft referendum bill, convene a constitutional convention and to initiate discussions — https://instituteforgovernment.org.uk/
3. Read SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney MSP's address to SNP Conference 2026 ... This campaign is backed by our six-figure war chest. It will be backed by our enthusiasm and energy. Because we are the party of Scottish independence. Our opponents may not want to admit it. But the referendum campaign on Scottish independence has already begun. Friends,. Choose Scotland will offer hope. But it will also offer ambition. Some think we should just be like Manchester. Well I'm afra — https://snp.org/
4. 'Stars are aligning' for Scottish independence, Swinney to tell SNP conference (standard.co.uk) — https://standard.co.uk/
5. Swinney announces launch of Choose Scotland campaign for Scottish independence — The Guardian (ua.news) — https://ua.news/
6. SNP loses thousands of members as deficit soars to nearly £500,000 — https://the-independent.com/
7. Swinney: 'I am determined to deliver independence for Scotland for my son' (itv.com) — https://itv.com/
8. SNP's finances in deficit of more than £450,000, new reports show (heraldscotland.com) — https://heraldscotland.com/
9. Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP | Scottish National party (SNP) | The Guardian (theguardian.com) — https://theguardian.com/
10. John Swinney pledges £30m to tackle racism and far right (glasgowtimes.co.uk) — https://glasgowtimes.co.uk/
11. The SNP launches a major campaign to pressure Burnham and achieve a second referendum for Scotland. The nationalists want to measure the support for a new referendum with a survey done among 1.5 million people. (ara.cat) — https://ara.cat/
12. SNP ministers had previously promised to legislate against misogyny, but in June 2025 the Government confirmed it will not bring forward legislation before the 2026 Scottish election. Describing the problem as “completely deplorable” Mr Swinney said a a new £1 million Respect Fund would be established “giving every school the resources they need to tackle misogyny”. He went on to announce that the £2 cap on bus fares – which is already running in the Highlands and islands, and in Glasgow and par — https://peeblesshirenews.com/
13. FIRST Minister John Swinney has set out a three-point plan for achieving Scottish independence – insisting that a democratic referendum is part of the way forward. (facebook.com) — https://facebook.com/
14. John Swinney announces new £30m fund to combat far right in Scotland — https://thenational.scot/
15. Bus services across Scotland to be brought under 'public control' by 2031, claims John Swinney (dailyrecord.co.uk) — https://dailyrecord.co.uk/
16. Buses in Scotland to be brought under public control by 2031, Swinney says (stalbansreview.co.uk) — https://stalbansreview.co.uk/
17. SNP to survey 1.5 million Scots in 'biggest independence push in a decade' (instagram.com) — https://instagram.com/
18. SNP launches 'Choose Scotland' campaign for independence, with a national day of campaigning planned around St Andrew's Day on 30 November. (ayestotheright.co.uk) — https://ayestotheright.co.uk/
19. Bus services across Scotland to be brought under 'public control' by 2031, claims John Swinney. (winsfordguardian.co.uk) — https://winsfordguardian.co.uk/
20. Bus services across Scotland to be brought under 'public control' by 2031, claims John Swinney. (salisburyjournal.co.uk) — https://salisburyjournal.co.uk/
21. Scotland's First Minister says there is a case for nationalising bus services after a £2 fare cap in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. (the-gazette.co.uk) — https://the-gazette.co.uk/
22. Scotland's First Minister says there is a case for nationalising bus services after a £2 fare cap in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. (dumbartonreporter.co.uk) — https://dumbartonreporter.co.uk/
23. SNP loses thousands of members as deficit soars to nearly £500,000 | The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/
24. John Swinney: 'stars aligning' for independence in Scotland (dailybusinessgroup.co.uk) — https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/
25. Swinney says stars are aligning for Scottish independence at Aberdeen SNP conference (newscord.org) — https://newscord.org/
26. Hung parliament 'most realistic' route to indyref2 for SNP, MP says (inkl.com) — https://inkl.com/
27. SNP must win over voters on cost of living, not just independence (ukandeu.ac.uk) — https://ukandeu.ac.uk/
28. SNP launches 'Choose Scotland' campaign for independence (youtube.com) — https://youtube.com/
29. Peter Murrell - Wikipedia — https://wikipedia.org/
30. SNP suffer major financial woes as it loses £1m in a year - and is now £445k in the red with membership plummeting. (scottishdailyexpress.co.uk) — https://scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/
31. Unclear if loan made to SNP by Peter Murrell will ever be paid back, auditors say (holyrood.com) — https://holyrood.com/
32. Ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell jailed for embezzling £400,000 from party (scmp.com) — https://scmp.com/
33. Former Scottish leader’s ex-husband lands 5 years in prison over embezzlement scandal (courthousenews.com) — https://courthousenews.com/
34. Former Scottish leader’s husband sentenced to prison for embezzling from party (apnews.com) — https://apnews.com/
35. Scotland Together Fund to tackle poverty, disadvantage, and racism (gov.scot) — https://gov.scot/
36. SNP loses thousands of members as deficit soars to nearly £500,000 (insider.co.uk) — https://insider.co.uk/