The Scottish Parliament held a debate on Scottish independence, specifically addressing who should decide when to hold another independence referendum. First Minister John Swinney tabled a motion seeking parliament's confirmation that Scotland is "a nation" and that Holyrood, rather than Westminster, should determine the timing of any future referendum. The debate highlighted disagreements between nationalists and unionists over parliamentary authority, with Reform's Malcolm Offord attempting unsuccessfully to have the debate cancelled on the grounds that the Supreme Court has already ruled independence to be a Westminster matter.

The debate saw several political positions emerge. Ross Greer cited the 1989 Claim of Right in support of Holyrood's authority, whilst Michael Marra, Scottish Labour's new leader, argued that Swinney was using the debate primarily to manage his own party rather than genuinely pursue independence. The Nationalist and Green parties supported the motion, whilst Reform members eventually withdrew from the chamber in protest. Unionists continue to contest the nationalist interpretation of parliamentary powers to determine referendum timing.