US President Donald Trump has congratulated John Swinney on his re-election as First Minister of Scotland, praising him as a “good man” who deserved his “Big Electoral Victory”. The message, delivered via social media on Saturday, is widely interpreted as a thinly-veiled dig at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with whom Trump’s relations have soured in recent months.
SNP Victory in Scotland
Swinney’s Scottish National Party secured 58 seats in the Scottish Parliament, making them the largest party but falling short of an overall majority. Trump acknowledged Swinney’s role in securing tariff relief for Scottish whisky, a claim the First Minister had previously made. The US president wrote: “Congratulations to John Swinney, a good man, on his Big Electoral Victory in Scotland. He has done a fantastic job, especially in getting Tariff Relief for Scotch Whisky. Well done!”
Thinly-Veiled Criticism of Starmer
The congratulatory message is seen by political analysts as a pointed contrast to Trump’s frosty relationship with Starmer. The Prime Minister faces mounting calls to resign after Labour suffered heavy losses in recent elections across Scotland, Wales, and English local councils. Despite the setbacks, Starmer has vowed to remain as leader, insisting he will continue to fight for the party’s values.
Trump has previously clashed with Starmer over issues including trade and defence, and the US president has not offered similar public praise for the British leader. The timing of Trump’s message, just days after Labour’s electoral defeats, has fuelled speculation that the US president is deliberately highlighting Starmer’s weakness.
Labour’s Electoral Woes
Labour’s performance in the Scottish Parliament elections was particularly disappointing, with the party failing to make significant gains against the SNP. In Wales, Labour also lost ground to Plaid Cymru, while in English local councils, the Conservatives made unexpected advances. Starmer has faced internal criticism, but he remains defiant, stating: “I am not going anywhere. We will learn from these results and rebuild.”
The SNP’s victory, while not a majority, solidifies Swinney’s position as First Minister and strengthens the party’s push for Scottish independence. Swinney has said the result shows Scotland wants a different future from the rest of the UK.
Trump’s intervention in UK politics is likely to further strain relations between Washington and London. The US president has made no secret of his admiration for strong nationalist leaders, and his praise for Swinney may be seen as an endorsement of the SNP’s independence agenda.
