The United Kingdom is on the brink of an “absolutely seismic moment,” according to Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who highlighted the distinct possibility of nationalist parties taking power in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the upcoming May elections. Speaking at the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) campaign conference, Swinney declared that such an outcome would send a clear message to the international community that “Westminster’s time is up.”

With polls consistently showing support for Scottish independence hovering around 50%, and the prospect of nationalist victories in the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly alongside Holyrood, Swinney asserted that Scotland is poised to “lead this great wave of change.” Despite the independence strategy not yielding desired results in the 2024 general election, Swinney reiterated the SNP’s commitment to making independence central to their campaign, stating, “We are closer to becoming independent than we have ever been. Support for our cause has never been at such sustained high levels.”

Current polls for Holyrood place the SNP in the lead with 34%, significantly ahead of Reform UK at 20% and Scottish Labour at 15%, whose support has reportedly declined due to perceived missteps by Westminster. Swinney also took the opportunity to commend the resilience and “sense of community” demonstrated by Glaswegians following a devastating fire that gutted a historic city centre building. He pledged the Scottish government’s unwavering support for the city, announcing a £10 million recovery fund for the council, businesses, and agencies, and committing to underwrite the £1 million cost of clearing the fire-ravaged site, ensuring these expenses do not burden local public services.

Framing a series of voter pledges as “building blocks of an independent country,” Swinney outlined key policy proposals should the SNP be re-elected. These include the implementation of subsidized childcare, based on family income, for all children from nine months old through the end of primary school, available 52 weeks a year. Furthermore, he proposed the creation of a £100 million First Homes Fund, designed to provide up to £10,000 in deposit support for first-time buyers in Scotland. This initiative aims to free young people from the “rent trap” and support a generation he believes has been “let down by Westminster.”

Addressing criticism from Westminster parties regarding his government’s comments on global affairs, Swinney declared, “We will not stay silent while the world burns.” He then called for an immediate end to the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Swinney condemned the actions of the Iranian regime for terrorizing its own population and criticized the United States and Israel, stating that their “unjustifiable actions” have “no basis under international law” and “must stop.”