The Holyrood election is “Scotland’s opportunity to vote ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer”, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said. Stephen Flynn stated that the May 7 election provides the country with a chance to secure a “fresh start with independence” and escape the “constant chaos of Westminster control”.
Mr Flynn described it as a “disgrace” that the UK Government is “completely consumed by the Peter Mandelson scandal and distracted from the issues that matter to voters” amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced mounting calls to resign following the fallout from the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, which erupted after it emerged that Mandelson had not passed vetting checks yet was still appointed British ambassador to the US. The Prime Minister subsequently dismissed Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins over the matter and has claimed that evidence from Sir Olly exonerated him from accusations of misleading MPs.
Mr Flynn said: “The election on 7th May is Scotland’s opportunity to vote ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer and secure a fresh start with independence. If Labour MPs won’t do the decent thing, and bring forward a vote of no confidence themselves, Scottish voters can take action on 7th May – by voting SNP to sack Keir Starmer and escape the constant chaos of Westminster control.”
He added: “It is a disgrace that, at a time when families need a government that is fully focused on tackling the cost-of-living emergency, the Labour government is completely consumed by the Peter Mandelson scandal and distracted from the issues that matter to voters. While John Swinney’s SNP government is laser-focused on helping families – Keir Starmer is only interested in saving his own skin and hasn’t lifted a finger to help households with the soaring cost of living under the Labour Party.”
Lord Mandelson was sacked last year, less than a year into his role, after details of his association with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein emerged in files published by the US government. The Prime Minister has been under intense pressure over the vetting issue in recent days.
Mr Flynn continued: “Keir Starmer is doing more damage with every day that he clings on to power. His position is completely untenable and Labour MPs are doing voters a disservice by keeping him in place. The election is the key moment that can seal Keir Starmer’s fate. On 7th May, people in Scotland can vote SNP to show Keir Starmer the door and secure that fresh start of independence.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie responded: “The SNP’s endless attempts to deflect attention from its own shameful record in government is getting embarrassing. This election is about Scotland’s government, our NHS, our schools, our local services, our community safety and our transport system – but Stephen Flynn seems to think these issues don’t matter. Anas Sarwar has been clear that a vote for Scottish Labour in this election is not an endorsement of Keir Starmer – it is a vote to change the government here in Scotland. The SNP is letting Scotland down but only Scottish Labour can beat them. The choice on the ballot on May 7 is between more of the same with John Swinney and the SNP and change with Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour. A Scottish Labour government will fix the mess, get the basics right and deliver a better future for Scotland.”
