Stephen Flynn argued that the recent Scottish Parliament election has fundamentally altered the United Kingdom’s constitutional reality, calling on Westminster to recognise a new political landscape.
“I think it’s perfectly reasonable based upon the result of the election,” Flynn said. He pointed to the fact that there are now “more pro-independence MSPs coming into Holyrood than ever before,” adding that the people of Scotland should have “the chance and the opportunity to decide their own future.”
Flynn contrasted a “broken Brexit Britain” with what he described as a “hopeful, aspirational, independent Scotland” capable of growing its economy and using its energy wealth to benefit those living there. He also noted shifting political dynamics elsewhere in the UK, referencing the likely incoming first minister in Wales and the fact that Michelle O’Neill serves as first minister in Northern Ireland. “The constitutional landscape within the UK has been shattered,” he stated firmly.
When asked whether he would encourage similar separatist moves in Cardiff and Belfast, Flynn rejected the term “separatist” as “such a negative word.” He responded: “It’s for the people of Wales to determine their future. It’s for the people of the north of Ireland to determine their future. It’s for the people of Scotland to determine their future.”
Flynn also highlighted the SNP’s stronger-than-expected performance. He recalled that when John Swinney took over as first minister, the party was projected to win only 30 to 35 seats. In the event, the SNP secured 58 seats with 38% of the vote — a result Flynn called a “landslide” and “far in excess of anything that Keir Starmer achieved at the last general election.” He credited the outcome to Swinney’s leadership and said the public had placed its trust in the party.
Asked about governing arrangements, Flynn said the first minister would determine the path forward. He noted that Swinney intends to invite all political leaders into Bute House for discussions — except the Reform party, which Flynn described as having “toxic populist hard-right politics.”
Pressed on whether excluding a party that a significant portion of Scottish voters supported was democratic, Flynn answered directly: “Yes. Because more people voted for the Scottish National Party than did for Nigel Farage’s party. Thank goodness for that.”
He acknowledged that some Reform voters hold “repugnant views,” but added that many others voted Reform out of understandable anger over stagnant economic growth and lack of opportunity. “It’s my job and it’s everyone else’s job in parliament not to chastise those people, but to win those people back into the centre ground of Scottish politics,” Flynn said, concluding that politicians must ensure voters no longer see the appeal of “the populist hard right that Nigel Farage promotes.”