Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has launched a scathing attack on First Minister John Swinney, claiming he is “not fit to lead” following the Scottish Government’s controversial snub of national defence priorities.
Sarwar’s comments come in response to the SNP-led government’s decision to omit defence from its proposed post-independence white paper. Instead of offering a clear strategy on how Scotland would handle national security after independence, the draft paper released last week made only vague references to “cooperation with allies” and failed to outline any concrete plans for armed forces, NATO participation, or international obligations.
This omission triggered strong backlash not only from opposition parties but also from defence analysts who labelled the approach as “recklessly naive” at a time of growing global security tensions.
Speaking at a press conference in Glasgow, Sarwar didn’t hold back: “John Swinney’s refusal to address defence shows a dangerous lack of responsibility. You cannot claim to be building a future nation while ignoring how to protect it. This makes him not fit to lead.”
The SNP, still recovering from internal turmoil and Nicola Sturgeon’s departure, has attempted to present Swinney as a stabilising force. But Sarwar’s attack reflects deeper concerns among voters about competence and priorities.
Security Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought
The absence of a defence plan is especially striking given the geopolitical climate. With Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, and increased hybrid threats across Europe, experts argue that defence cannot be treated as an afterthought.
Former military figures weighed in, warning that omitting defence could damage Scotland’s credibility in any future independence negotiations. “You can’t cherry-pick sovereignty,” said one former commander. “Without a defence strategy, the rest of the paper is just wishful thinking.”
Public Opinion Mixed
Polls following the white paper’s release show public opinion sharply divided. While support for independence has remained relatively stable, confidence in the SNP’s ability to govern has taken a hit. Nearly 40% of respondents said they were “less confident” in the government’s leadership after reading the document.
Sarwar hopes to capitalise on that sentiment as Labour attempts a comeback in Scotland. His sharp rhetoric signals a campaign that won’t shy away from calling out what he sees as SNP failures in real terms that matter to voters—like defence.
Final Thoughts
Leadership means making hard decisions, especially about the safety of citizens. Swinney’s defence snub has left a vacuum where clarity should be. Whether that costs him political ground remains to be seen—but as far as Sarwar is concerned, the verdict is already in.
