SNP’s Flynn Declares Second Independence Referendum ‘Perfectly Reasonable’ After Scottish Election Gains

Stephen Flynn, the Scottish National Party SNP’s Westminster leader, argued that the election result had “shattered” the United Kingdom’s constitutional landscape and demanded that Westminster “wake up to the reality they now face.”

Appearing in a broadcast interview, Flynn rejected the term “separatist,” calling it “such a negative word,” and instead described himself and his colleagues as “nationalists who believe in a prosperous, welcoming, independent Scotland.”

While the SNP did not secure an outright majority on its own, Flynn noted that there are now “more pro-independence MSPs coming into Holyrood than ever before.” He said it was “perfectly reasonable” to make clear to Westminster that the people of Scotland “should have the chance and the opportunity to decide their own future.”

Flynn contrasted what he called “broken Brexit Britain” with a “hopeful, aspirational, independent Scotland” that could grow its economy and use its energy wealth for the benefit of its people. He also pointed to the constitutional situations elsewhere in the UK, noting the likely incoming first minister in Wales and that Michelle O’Neill is the first minister in Northern Ireland. “The constitutional landscape within the UK has been shattered,” he repeated for emphasis.

When asked whether he would encourage counterparts in Cardiff and Belfast to seek their own separatist referendums, Flynn replied that it was “for the people of Wales to determine their future” and “for the people of the north of Ireland to determine their future,” just as it was for the people of Scotland.

Flynn also celebrated the SNP’s performance, saying that when John Swinney took over as first minister, the party was projected to win only 30 to 35 seats. Instead, the SNP secured 58 seats with 38% of the vote, which Flynn described as “far in excess of anything that Keir Starmer achieved at the last general election.” He called the result a “landslide” and “testament to the leadership of John Swinney.”

On the question of how the SNP would govern, Flynn said that would be for the first minister to determine. He noted that Swinney had made clear he would invite all political leaders into Bute House for discussions—excluding the Reform party. Flynn described Reform as having “toxic populist hard-right politics.”

The interviewer pressed Flynn on whether it was reasonable to shut out a party that a “significant section of the Scottish people” had voted for. Flynn responded: “Yes. Because more people voted for the Scottish National Party than did for Nigel Farage’s party. Thank goodness for that.”

He acknowledged that some Reform voters held “repugnant views” but added that others were “angry” due to lack of economic growth and opportunity. “It’s my job and it’s everyone else’s job in parliament not to chastise those people, but to win those people back into the centre ground of Scottish politics,” Flynn said.