Starmer SNP insulting Scots’ intelligence with ‘secret’ independence plan claim

Published: 21 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Sir Keir Starmer has accused Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney,y of insulting the intelligence of the Scottish people by claiming he has a secret plan to achieve independence, despite the Prime Minister’s firm opposition to another referendum. Speaking at a Downing Street reception for Scottish political journalists, Starmer mocked Swinney’s statement that he possessed special “tactics” to override Westminster’s refusal to authorise another vote on separation.

The Prime Minister argued that the SNP’s focus on independence had left Scotland’s public services falling behind those in England. “He is rehashing yesterday’s failed arguments about independence because there aren’t any achievements from the Nationalists’ 18 years of power,” Starmer said. He added that the SNP should “perhaps start fixing the NHS,” which he described as a “complete mess and getting worse.”

The intervention comes after SNP members voted at their Aberdeen conference earlier this month to back Swinney’s strategy, which claims that winning a majority in the Scottish Parliament election in May would serve as a mandate for another independence referendum. The First Minister cited the 2011 election, when Alex Salmond led the party to a majority, and former Prime Minister David Cameron authorised a referendum, which the nationalists ultimately lost.

Despite warnings from SNP rebels that Swinney was leading the party into a political “cul-de-sac,” he told delegates that he had a secret plan to override the Prime Minister’s opposition. Although he refused to disclose the “tactics” he would use, Swinney urged members to “keep watching because Scotland’s on the journey to independence.” He also claimed Sir Keir would resign if the SNP won a majority.

Starmer dismissed Swinney’s claims, saying: “He is insulting the intelligence of the Scottish people. After 18 years in government, he really needs to explain why he’s not running on his record. Essentially, there’s a blindingly obvious reason for that, and it’s appalling, which is why he doesn’t want to put it before the country.”

Referring to Swinney as “honest John,” an ironic nickname the First Minister reportedly dislikes, Starmer criticised him for avoiding responsibility while NHS waiting lists increased, police numbers fell, and opportunities for green nuclear power were blocked. He also highlighted that his Government had handed the SNP an extra £5.2bn to spend, questioning what the party had actually done with that money.

The Prime Minister also indicated that the Government’s ban on oil and gas licences in the North Sea could be softened. Developers of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields were told by a court to seek fresh approval from the UK Government before production could begin, considering the climate impact of burning fossil fuels. Starmer said: “There’s a decision that needs to be taken on Rosebank as a result of the court case. Oil and gas will remain part of the energy mix for many years, alongside renewables, which are a fantastic opportunity for Scotland. We can do both.”

Scotland’s NHS management is expected to be a key issue in the May Holyrood election. Recent research shows only 22 per cent of Scots are satisfied with the health service, the lowest level on record. In June, cancer waiting times reached their worst levels, and medical leaders warned that the NHS is “dying before our eyes.” Statistics published last year revealed nearly 100 times more Scots were waiting more than two years for treatment compared to England, despite England’s larger population.

SNP ministers have also used planning powers to block new nuclear power plants in Scotland. Responding to Starmer, Keith Brown, the SNP Deputy Leader, said: “Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his political attacks. He points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales. He even talks about Great British Energy, which has so far created 13 jobs in Aberdeen, compared to the thousand which were promised.