The United Kingdom is braced for a potential 'constitutional shock' as voters head to the polls in Scotland and Wales this Thursday, with the SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn warning that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could be unseated if nationalist parties triumph.
Election stakes
Speaking ahead of the elections to the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) and the Welsh Parliament (Senedd), Mr Flynn predicted that successful campaigns by the SNP and Plaid Cymru would send shockwaves through Westminster. The SNP is aiming for a record fifth consecutive victory at Holyrood, while Plaid Cymru seeks to oust Labour from power in Wales for the first time in devolution.
Mr Flynn, who is himself a candidate for Holyrood, stated: 'There is going to be a constitutional shock on these isles next Thursday when the Scottish National Party hopefully win in Scotland, Plaid Cymru hopefully win in Wales as well.'
Independence referendum demands
The SNP is hoping that a majority win at Holyrood will provide the mandate to demand a second independence referendum, echoing the 2011 victory that led to the 2014 referendum. Mr Flynn emphasised that 'history is on our side' and that a democratic society must allow Scots a say over their future.
However, Sir Keir Starmer and senior Labour figures have already indicated they would refuse a fresh independence vote. Mr Flynn countered that the Prime Minister 'won't' be able to refuse, claiming that 'Keir Starmer is not going to be in office come the end of next week.' He added that even if Starmer survives for a few weeks, he 'loves a u-turn if he does somehow manage to stay in office.'
Broken Britain
Mr Flynn argued that the UK is 'broken beyond repair' and that Scotland needs 'stable, strong leadership' from First Minister John Swinney. He urged voters to back the SNP to 'transform our society' and escape 'broken Brexit Britain which is going to potentially have Nigel Farage in charge.'
The elections also include local council contests in England, but the focus remains on the potential upheaval in Scotland and Wales. Mr Flynn concluded that the 'Westminster establishment aren't quite ready or aware of what is about to happen.'
