During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg last week, Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s First Minister, asserted that Labour will win the up-and-coming general election, and argued that Keir Starmer ‘does not need Scottish voters to win’. But with potentially 10 months until the general election takes place, is it too soon to predict who will next be in Westminster, or is Yousaf justified in his projection of an ‘incoming’ Labour government?
In a new YouGov poll, voting intentions stand at 20% for Conservatives, and 47% for Labour, suggesting many people in the United Kingdom believe it is time for a Labour government. Following 13 years of Conservatve rule, 5 prime ministers within 6 years, the ‘Partygate’ scandal and the cost-of-living crisis, there is no surprise that Labour are ahead in the voting intentions.
However, Labour is also predicted to gain up to 22 seats in Scotland, which means they would hold 24 seats altogether which would threaten the Scottish National Party’s current dominance. This would almost be a reversal back to Labour popularity within the country. Having recognised that the Scottish National Party should work alongside Labour in the event of a strengthened labour position in Scotland, despite ‘disagreements’ in the constitution, Yousaf has invited Starmer to discuss prevalent issues within Scotland, such as child poverty, education, and first and foremost, Scottish Independence.
However, it looks almost certain that Starmer will not take him up on the offer, as he previously made it explicit that Labour will not allow another Scottish referendum nor will they make any deals with the SNP. So, is the invitation from Yousaf an endeavour to build a relationship with Labour, or another display of desperation for the chance at a Scottish referendum?
Currently, it appears as though Starmer and his party are going to obtain a majority in the next general election, and wipe seats from the SNP as well, despite Yousaf’s wishes. However, if we have learned anything from the Westminster government in previous years, it’s that a lot can change very quickly.
“First Minister Humza Yousaf (52784069858) (cropped 2)” by Scottish Government is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Humza’s gamble
During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg last week, Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s First Minister, asserted that Labour will win the up-and-coming general election, and argued that Keir Starmer ‘does not need Scottish voters to win’. But with potentially 10 months until the general election takes place, is it too soon to predict who will next be in Westminster, or is Yousaf justified in his projection of an ‘incoming’ Labour government?
In a new YouGov poll, voting intentions stand at 20% for Conservatives, and 47% for Labour, suggesting many people in the United Kingdom believe it is time for a Labour government. Following 13 years of Conservatve rule, 5 prime ministers within 6 years, the ‘Partygate’ scandal and the cost-of-living crisis, there is no surprise that Labour are ahead in the voting intentions.
However, Labour is also predicted to gain up to 22 seats in Scotland, which means they would hold 24 seats altogether which would threaten the Scottish National Party’s current dominance. This would almost be a reversal back to Labour popularity within the country. Having recognised that the Scottish National Party should work alongside Labour in the event of a strengthened labour position in Scotland, despite ‘disagreements’ in the constitution, Yousaf has invited Starmer to discuss prevalent issues within Scotland, such as child poverty, education, and first and foremost, Scottish Independence.
However, it looks almost certain that Starmer will not take him up on the offer, as he previously made it explicit that Labour will not allow another Scottish referendum nor will they make any deals with the SNP. So, is the invitation from Yousaf an endeavour to build a relationship with Labour, or another display of desperation for the chance at a Scottish referendum?
Currently, it appears as though Starmer and his party are going to obtain a majority in the next general election, and wipe seats from the SNP as well, despite Yousaf’s wishes. However, if we have learned anything from the Westminster government in previous years, it’s that a lot can change very quickly.
“First Minister Humza Yousaf (52784069858) (cropped 2)” by Scottish Government is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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