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Swinney keen to work with fellow nationalist devolved leaders in UK
TL;DR
John Swinney plans to collaborate with nationalist leaders in Wales and Northern Ireland to oppose Labour's policies on cost of living and government spending. He anticipates Rhun ap Iorwerth will be appointed first minister of Wales following recent elections.
Key points
- John Swinney plans to work with nationalist leaders in Wales and Northern Ireland
- The collaboration aims to oppose Labour's policies on cost of living
- Swinney anticipates Rhun ap Iorwerth will become first minister of Wales
- Michelle O’Neill supports the collaboration among nationalist-led governments
Mentioned in this story
John SwinneyMichelle O’NeillSinn FéinRhun ap IorwerthPlaid Cymru
John Swinney has said he plans to work with the nationalist first ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland in a coordinated opposition to Labour’s policies on the cost of living and UK government spending.
The Scottish National party leader said he had spoken to Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Féin first minister of Northern Ireland, on Friday night after she had called to congratulate him on his party’s “emphatic” victory in the Holyrood elections.
Swinney, who will be sworn in as Scotland’s first minister next week, said he expected Plaid Cymru’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, to be appointed first minister of Wales after winning the Senedd elections for the first time on Thursday.
He said he “looked forward to making sure our respective countries’ voices are heard loud and clear in the UK”.
O’Neill, who has to work jointly with the Democratic Unionist party in Stormont, so has limits to her authority, had made clear her enthusiasm for all three nationalist-led governments working in concert, Swinney added.
That alliance would take shape against a background of increased political conflict in Holyrood and the Senedd with the arrival of Reform UK, now in second place in both parliaments, as well as Swinney’s efforts to press for a second Scottish independence referendum.
To the shock of other Holyrood leaders, Reform came joint second on Thursday with Scottish Labour, both winning 17 seats. That will give Reform’s Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, the right to ask the opening questions at first minister’s questions, while Reform could get committee convenership posts.
Swinney said the three leaders were likely to challenge the UK government’s increasing use of the Internal Markets Act, a measure designed to harmonise the UK’s internal trade and business regulations post-Brexit, to impose policies “over the heads” of the three devolved administrations.
He said: “Believe you me, that causes fury in all devolved governments, and perhaps us all working in concert with a shared agenda might get us somewhere on that.”
Swinney also cited the previous campaigns by the Scottish and Welsh Labour governments to lift the two-child benefit cap and said all three parties were very clear about the merits of rejoining the EU to address the UK’s economic decline.
“The UK is in a fundamentally different position and the bit that’s got to catch up with this is Whitehall, and the sooner they do the better,” he said. “I will be pressing for that to be the case.”
Q&A
What is John Swinney's plan regarding Labour's policies?
John Swinney intends to work with nationalist leaders in Wales and Northern Ireland to coordinate opposition to Labour's policies.
Who are the nationalist leaders John Swinney is collaborating with?
John Swinney is collaborating with Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Féin first minister of Northern Ireland, and Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru in Wales.
What recent elections influenced John Swinney's plans?
The recent Holyrood elections in Scotland and the Senedd elections in Wales influenced John Swinney's plans for collaboration.
What challenges does Michelle O’Neill face in her role?
Michelle O’Neill faces challenges in her role due to the need to work jointly with the Democratic Unionist Party in Stormont, which limits her authority.
