A senior Scottish Labour councillor has called for the party to become independent from its UK counterpart to escape what he describes as Westminster's “Netflix-style” politics. Kenneth Duffy, provost of North Lanarkshire, is backing the newly launched ‘Just for Scotland’ campaign, which advocates breaking the “electoral link” between the Scottish and UK Labour parties for Holyrood elections.
Five Consecutive Defeats Fuel Breakaway Calls
Anas Sarwar’s party suffered its fifth consecutive defeat to the SNP in the May 2026 Scottish Parliament election, securing its lowest number of MSPs. Keir Starmer’s unpopularity has been cited as a key factor, with Sarwar’s allies noting that Scottish Labour’s fortunes are tied to the UK party. This loss has intensified demands for a formal split at the Holyrood level.
Jack McConnel, who stood as a Labour candidate in the election, launched the ‘Just for Scotland’ group, saying he has been “inundated with support.” Duffy, who works for MP Pamela Nash, is now backing the initiative.
Duffy: ‘Failure Isn’t Inevitable’
Duffy told the Daily Record: “Just For Scotland is starting an exciting honest conversation about our Party's future. Losing should never be the norm in party politics, failure isn’t inevitable. The world is changing rapidly, and social divides are deepening. We must try something different, because standing still isn’t an option. The status quo isn't working.”
He added: “Scottish Labour has undergone multiple policy reviews and changes of leadership, but support remains in freefall. The danger lies in the fact that necessary criticisms of SNP failings have gradually created an 'anti-everything' impression that voters are increasingly convinced constitutes what we offer, habitual opposition rather than alternative vision.”
Escape from ‘Performative Drama’
“Scottish Labour must escape Westminster's Netflix style politics, that ceaseless loop of performative drama and London centric point scoring to cement themselves as a confident, tough party with firm Scottish foundations focused on the issues that matter, here in Scotland,” Duffy continued. “This is something that we can already see in Labour-run councils across Scotland. We need to break the electoral link between the UK and Scottish parties in Holyrood elections, and begin to be seen to stand up for Scotland.”
He also referenced Andy Burnham’s success as Greater Manchester mayor, but warned: “As things stand, a 2031 Holyrood election will still be seen as a midterm of a Westminster Parliament. This leaves Scotland's NHS, education, policing and economy vulnerable to yet another SNP government.”
McConnel: ‘We Must Not Abandon Scotland’
McConnel said: “It’s great to have Kenny join the campaign. He’s got so much experience in local government and across our movement. Our party will never again win a Scottish Parliament election with organisational or policy adjustments, and 2031 will yet again be seen as a midterm of a Westminster Parliament. We must not abandon Scotland’s NHS, Scotland’s schools & colleges, Scotland’s transport and Scotland’s policing to the SNP in 2031. Scotland is just too important not to do the hard work of changing ourselves so we can change Scotland.”
Party Review Underway
Scottish Labour’s governing body is currently undertaking a review of the election defeat, which will examine the relationship with the UK party. A final report is expected by September 12. Insiders suggest Sarwar, who grew frustrated with Starmer’s unpopularity on the campaign trail, may view the review as a potential “legacy” item. Sarwar is expected to resign as party leader later this year.
