Gordon Brown on Scottish Independence

Gordon Brown has historically advocated for Scotland's place within the United Kingdom, arguing that the Union is a partnership based on shared values and pooled resources. He was a central figure in the 'No' campaign for the 2014 independence referendum, emphasizing that cooperation, rather than separation, offered a progressive vision for Scotland. Brown worked with fellow Scottish Labour politicians from the 1970s onward to support devolution, seeing the creation of the Scottish Parliament as part of a modern constitutional settlement for the UK, not a step toward independence. He believed that the economic roots of nationalism stemmed from deindustrialization and the failure to forge a unifying British identity.

Following the 2014 vote, his focus shifted to ensuring promises of further devolution were kept, acting as a key figure to hold Westminster parties accountable for their commitments. He maintained that even a 'No' vote was a vote for significant change, suggesting a modern 'home rule' within the Union. More recently, he has acknowledged that the forces pulling Britain apart remain strong, indicating that Unionists must offer a positive, forward-looking argument, rather than simply relying on the failure of the independence movement, to sustain the Union.