Scottish First Minister John Swinney has told the 2025 SNP National Conference that Westminster parties engaged in a “race to the right” are pushing Scotland towards independence.
Hailing the benefits of self-governance and painting a future independent of Westminster, Mr Swinney spoke at length about his disappointment in the shape of Labour more than a year after Sir Keir Starmer won a landslide at the last General Election.
The First Minister took regular aim at Sir Keir by accusing the Prime Minister of failing to implement any of the progressive policies set out in his manifesto.
He said: “They once said things can only get better but on day one Keir Starmer changed his tune – he now says things are only going to get worse.”
Mr Swinney also accused Sir Keir of “stealing Jeremy Corbyn’s clothes” and “dressing up as Nigel Farage”.
He said: “Westminster parties are locked in a race to the right a race – a race that will only be won by Nigel Farage.
“I believe it will be revulsion of Westminster’s race to the right that will change Scotland’s status again from a so-called devolved nation to what we can be – a modern, outward looking, inclusive, compassionate country.
“Not a devolved nation but the world’s newest independent nation.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has told the 2025 SNP National Conference that Westminster parties engaged in a ‘race to the right’ are pushing Scotland towards independence|PA
Mirroring Alex Salmond’s proposed mandate in 2011, Mr Swinney told the membership: “The precedent is clear, when the SNP win a majority, we deliver a referendum on independence.”
Though autonomy had been absent from the First Minister’s vocabulary since taking office last spring, Scottish independence has been firmly put back on the menu with six months to go until the Holyrood vote is called next year.
Speaking on Monday, Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan insisted independence was “not a punt” and she and her party would fight for a majority “until the votes are being counted next May.”
John Swinney swiped at both Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer in his keynote conference speech|PA
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes told members she was “deeply proud” to have been part of the Government before adding that “securing many of the economic building blocks to smooth our transition to an independent nation.”
Four of the last five polls using the 2014 ballot question have returned pro-independence results, peaking at a seven-point lead for Scottish separatists.
However, opposition parties have spent the last week dismantling Mr Swinney’s latest paper on achieving Scottish independence, labelling the document a “fantasy”.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: “For the sake of Scotland, [John Swinney] should give up his independence obsession and move on”.
Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow during an All Under One Banner march | PAMeanwhile, Scottish Labour’s Rachel Marra voiced pointed dismay at the reigniting of the constitutional question, explaining the Scottish Government’s own statistics “demonstrate that Scotland would lose £14billion on day one of independence”.
In addition to rebuking Westminster’s “race to the right”, Mr Swinney gave a glimpse of what the SNP has in store as we approach Holyrood elections in 2026.
He introduced the SNP’s latest progressive policy plan – late-night drop-in GP services to bolster the buckling NHS service, which will initially operate from midday to 8pm and open seven days a week.
Patients will not have to make an appointment before appearing at one of the 15 initial sites in Scottish towns and cities.
In addition to rebuking Westminster’s ‘race to the right’, Mr Swinney gave a glimpse of what the SNP has in store as we approach Holyrood elections in 2026|PA
“This is just the start,” Mr Swinney claimed as he guided his speech to a close.
He added: “The first will be up and running before the end of the year.”
Despite speaking out about Scottish independence, the SNP remains unable to unilaterally sever ties with the UK.
Sir Keir has plainly stated he will not sign off on a Scottish independence referendum while he is Prime Minister – even in the event of a majority mandate.
