UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – SNP leader Stephen Flynn warns Scots against Labour, praises John Swinney, and urges support for the SNP to secure Scottish independence and a better future.
As reported by The Independent, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said Labour has already shown its approach if given power in Scotland.
Speaking in Aberdeen, the MP compared Scottish and UK Labour, highlighting the UK government’s declining support.
What did Stephen Flynn say about Labour and Scotland’s future?
Stephen Flynn said, Labour had “power but no purpose”, stating,
“Through their actions, they have already shown Scotland what a Labour victory at the Holyrood election next year would look like.”
He stated,
“We have already all seen the movie and we don’t need a Labour Government in Scotland that will look every bit like the one that is failing us in Westminster. Our nation must set its sights so much higher than that.”
Mr Flynn said,
“Scotland must aspire for something so much better and friends, only the SNP can deliver that future.”
The SNP’s Westminster leader, standing for Holyrood next year, said
“Scotland doesn’t need Keir Starmer’s branch office.”
Mr Flynn stated,
“No, we need a leader and a party who will always put Scotland’s interests first, and the people of Scotland know that John Swinney and the SNP will always do that.”
He praised his leader, saying Scotland is “fortunate” to have John Swinney as First Minister.
Mr Flynn said,
“The impact of a powerful, passionate, trusted leader cannot be emphasised enough and what I’ve seen over the course of the last 18 months is a First Minister who lives up to the billing and then some.”
He claimed Mr Swinney would lead the party to a majority and deliver the fresh start Scotland needs with independence.
Mr Flynn targeted Westminster’s immigration rhetoric, challenging its focus and policies, saying,
“What has become of Westminster, where it spends more time trying to split up successful families than making sure those families across these isles can afford a home, can afford their heating, can afford their shopping and secure a good job?”
He said,
“So to all of those who work in our hospitals, build our homes, drive forward our local businesses, teach our kids, who look after our parents and our grandparents, our neighbours and our friends, know that this wonderful wee nation of ours belongs to all of us, equally.”
Mr Flynn added,
“Know that this is your home, and know that this home will always be big enough and broad-minded enough to include you too.”
Jackie Baillie’s views on Stephen Flynn and the SNP
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said Stephen Flynn’s speech reveals “more about his anger at his own colleagues than anyone else.”
She stated,
“The SNP have wasted almost 20 years of trust put in them by the people of Scotland and left the country with a broken and tired government unable to get the basics right.”
Ms Baillie said,
“Violence is on the rise in our schools, a housing emergency is causing misery for families, and one person dies from a drug overdose every seven hours – failures John Swinney is responsible for and Stephen Flynn wants the public to ignore.”
She added,
“Labour delivered an extra £5.2 billion for Scotland’s public services, but no one can see what the SNP has done with this money. Scots deserve better than a government that blames everyone else while failing to get the basics right.”
Ms Baillie continued,
“This is not as good as it gets. Next year’s election is about change – ending two decades of SNP mismanagement and putting Scotland back on track. Only Scottish Labour can deliver the new direction our country needs.”
What did the survey reveal about Keir Starmer’s impact in Scotland?
A poll shows Scots see UK Labour leader Keir Starmer as more influential than Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, highlighting Westminster politics’ impact on Labour’s Holyrood campaign.
Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, Scottish Labour meets in Glasgow, with a new poll of 1,000 voters highlighting campaign challenges.
When questioned about voting influence, 30% named Keir Starmer, compared with 13% for Anas Sarwar.
The poll indicates Mr Starmer’s leadership could have a greater impact on Scottish voters than Scottish Labour.
Fraser Paterson, head of public affairs at BIG Partnership and a former Labour adviser, stated,
“These results raise questions about the balance of influence between Labour north and south of the border when it comes to campaigning ahead of the Holyrood elections, and whether Anas Sarwar can establish a distinct electoral identity separate from the Prime Minister, who inevitably is making most of the political weather.”
He added,
“Like the Conservatives, Labour has long grappled with tensions between Holyrood and Westminster—but that doesn’t have to be the case. The real test for Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar is whether they can forge a more unified approach. For organisations looking to shape the public agenda, it’s essential to understand where the differences may lie and identify both the pitfalls and opportunities that come with them. Therefore, engaging effectively on both sides of the border has never been more important.”
Next Scottish Parliament election
The next Scottish Parliament election at Holyrood will be held no later than Thursday, May 7, 2026. This election will elect 129 members to the Scottish Parliament.
Extraordinary elections may be held earlier if specific conditions occur, but the ordinary general election date is May 7, 2026, at the latest.
