The Scottish National Party government stands accused of "political grandstanding" after abruptly shelving its demands for Scotland to gain control over immigration until after the next general election.
Ministers at Holyrood have quietly paused their long-running campaign for devolved migration powers, despite previously claiming such measures were urgently needed to address Scotland's unique demographic challenges.
Constitutional Clash Over Devolved Powers
The surprise move has sparked fury among opposition parties, who accuse the SNP of using the immigration debate as a political football rather than genuinely addressing Scotland's needs.
Scottish Conservative shadow secretary Donald Cameron slammed the decision, stating: "This confirms what we always suspected - the SNP's demands on immigration were more about grandstanding than genuine policymaking."
Election Strategy Over Policy Substance?
Political analysts suggest the delay is strategically timed to make immigration a key battleground issue in the upcoming election campaign rather than seeking immediate solutions.
The Scottish government's own expert advisory group had previously recommended tailored migration solutions to combat population decline in rural areas and boost Scotland's economic growth.
Westminster Resistance Continues
The UK government has consistently rejected calls for differentiated immigration rules across the four nations, arguing that a unified approach maintains the integrity of Britain's borders.
A UK Government spokesperson emphasised: "Immigration policy remains a reserved matter to ensure we have a single, coherent system that works for the entire United Kingdom."
The delay raises questions about whether the SNP's push for immigration powers was ever a practical policy goal or primarily a constitutional weapon to highlight differences between Edinburgh and Westminster.
