Overview
- Speaking to Scottish reporters at No 10 on October 20, Keir Starmer said John Swinney was using independence to distract from 18 years of SNP governance, which he called appalling.
- Starmer questioned what the Scottish Government has done with £5.2 billion in additional UK funding in this year’s settlement and pressed for evidence of improved performance.
- He criticised Swinney’s approach to US trade engagement, saying wins for Scottish business come from hard negotiations rather than a photo with the president.
- SNP depute leader Keith Brown rejected the attacks, citing falling NHS waiting lists in Scotland compared with England, higher police officers per head, and only 13 Great British Energy jobs delivered in Aberdeen versus 1,000 promised.
- SNP members recently endorsed a plan to seek another referendum if the party wins a majority, following Swinney’s earlier talk of a secret plan, as polls reported in coverage show Labour trailing the SNP in Scotland.