John Swinney has been told to concentrate on tackling serious policy failures in Scotland instead of pursuing “separatist fantasy league politics” as he prepares to hold independence discussions with Irish and Welsh nationalists.
The SNP leader is due to attend a summit in Cardiff on Monday with Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru leaders. The parties are expected to discuss their shared ambition to dismantle the United Kingdom.
The meeting has sparked fierce criticism because of Sinn Fein’s historic links to terrorism, with opponents accusing the First Minister of being prepared to work with anyone in pursuit of Scottish independence.
Mr Swinney has also been urged to address problems in key domestic services, including education and healthcare, rather than attend what critics described as a “performative photo call” in Wales.
In addition to the meeting with Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru leaders this morning, the First Minister will hold a formal bilateral meeting with the Welsh First Minister this afternoon. The trip will be funded by taxpayers.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “The majority of Scots don’t want another damaging and divisive referendum. They want Swinney to do his actual job.
John Swinney is due to meet Irish and Welsh nationalist parties on Monday
“Instead, he would rather spend a working day on separatist fantasy league politics. It comes after a week in which the SNP’s education failures were starkly highlighted by PISA results that placed Scotland well behind England.
“The former education secretary should be answering questions about how badly he has failed pupils, parents and teachers.”
Before the summit, Mr Swinney said the UK had reached a “pivotal moment of constitutional change”. Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s vice president, said that “change is happening right across these islands” and argued that people wanted to be “free from the shackles of Westminster”.
The talks follow comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham last week suggesting that “majority public support” could lead to another Scottish independence referendum. He later attempted to clarify his position, insisting that he still regarded a further referendum as “off limits”.
Harriet Cross, the Conservative MP and Shadow Scottish Secretary, said: “John Swinney’s separatist summit is nothing more than another blatant plot to break up the UK. We know he will work with anyone, including Sinn Fein, to achieve his lifelong dream.
‘Swinney is clearly emboldened by Andy Burnham’s naive remarks about the Union and is now typically using his constitutional obsession to distract from the SNP’s long list of failures. He should be spending time focusing on what really matters to Scots.
‘Instead, he’s starting his week with a performative photo call to push for a divisive referendum that Scots don’t want.’
Scottish Labour acting leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: ‘Just months ago, John Swinney promised to be a First Minister for “all of Scotland”. Yet, he has wasted no time at all in demonstrating that his sole focus is on dividing our country and fixating on the arguments of the past.
‘As always, the SNP puts party before country, with our public services suffering as a result.
‘John Swinney should stop leading his followers up the garden path and get back to his responsibilities as First Minister – by fixing our health service, restoring our education system, and supporting people with the cost of living.’
The Cardiff summit between Mr Swinney, Ms O’Neill, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will cover strengthened co-operation between them and will call on the UK Government to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change.
Recent statements by Andy Burnham have reignited calls for an independence vote
Ahead of the talks, Mr Swinney said: ‘I welcome the opportunity to meet with colleagues in Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin in Cardiff.
‘We are at a pivotal moment of constitutional change, and our parties share the common belief that our interests will never be served by Westminster, and that the people of our respective nations must have a meaningful say over their future.
‘This discussion comes the week after the Prime Minister accepted that a referendum should take place when there is majority support for independence in Scotland.
‘That acknowledgment that the people of Scotland can and should determine their own constitutional future is long overdue.
‘Today, our parties will come together and commit to working in partnership on areas such as social justice, energy, and the right to national self-determination.’
Ms Lou McDonald said: ‘Ireland, Scotland and Wales have different histories and different constitutional circumstances. Those differences must be respected.
‘But there is an important democratic principle that we share – nations must have the right to shape their own future.’
Ms O’Neill said: ‘The election of three Nationalist First Ministers for the first time on these islands is a clear indication that people see that Westminster is not working for the people of the North, Scotland or Wales.
‘Strengthening the relationships between the three parties and finding common ground will help us grow and create better opportunities for the workers, families and communities we represent.
‘And ultimately, this will lead us towards independence and free from the shackles of Westminster.’
