Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?

By Nicola McEwen, Professor of Public Policy and Governance, University of Glasgow

“A vote for the SNP is a vote for a referendum on independence. Based on the 2011 precedent, an SNP majority at this election is a mandate for the transfer of powers to the Scottish parliament to enable an independence referendum to be held.”

So said the SNP manifesto. Yet as the party failed to win a majority in May’s Scottish election, where does this leave the independence movement?

The SNP won a convincing victory, reflected both in its 58 seats and by being streets ahead of its…

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