The SNP leader said the prospect of three nationalist administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast would mean the UK was “changed irreversibly”.

13:17, 22 Apr 2026Updated 13:24, 22 Apr 2026

Sinn Fein’s President Mary Lou McDonald (left) sits with former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

John Swinney has said he is prepared to work with Sinn Fein “to change the dynamics of the United Kingdom” if reelected as First Minister next month.

It comes as the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland could all have nationalist first ministers for the first time after elections on May 7.

The SNP is comfortably ahead in the polls with just two weeks of the Holyrood campaign remaining, while Plaid Cymru could emerge as the largest party in the Welsh Senedd for the first time.

Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill is already the First Minister of the Stormont Assembly in Belfast after taking power in 2024 and does not face reelection next month.

Swinney said today the prospect of three nationalist administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast would mean the UK was “changed irreversibly”

Asked if the SNP won a majority, would he work with Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein to try and get independence for all three home nations, Swinney said: “Well, I certainly would enjoy the cooperation with counterparts in Plaid and Sinn Fein in Wales and Northern Ireland.

“It is for each of those individuals to meet their political campaigns in their own countries, and I don’t speak for them.

“But certainly from my part, I would appreciate that collaboration to change the dynamics of the United Kingdom so that we can, I can secure my objective of winning Scottish independence.

“Aside from that, I think the United Kingdom would be changed irreversibly if that outcome was to be the case.

“Obviously, Michelle O’Neill does not face an election in Northern Ireland at this stage, but she will be in office. And obviously the opportunities for Plaid Cymru are very visible in Wales.”

Asked why the UK would change irreversibly, Swinney added: “Because of the nature of the discussions that would then be taking place around the United Kingdom and between the devolved governments and the United Kingdom Government, which would change very dramatically with the fact that all of those three countries would be led, potentially, by governments that are committed to fundamental change in the United Kingdom.”

READ MORE: Scots hammered on food costs as sugar and beef prices rise twice as fast as wagesREAD MORE: Keir Starmer has ‘severely damaged’ Scottish Labour election campaign, says John Swinney

Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Conservatives deputy leader, said many Scots voters would be “appalled” by Swinney’s comments.

She said: “Pro-UK voters will be appalled and terrified at the prospect of John Swinney working in cahoots with Sinn Fein to break up the United Kingdom.

“This shows his and the SNP’s true colours – they will gladly team up with any party, in any corner of the UK, so long as they share his obsession with tearing it apart.

“That’s why the prospect of an SNP majority, which Swinney reckons is in the bag, is so frightening.

“He has said repeatedly that he would use this as a mandate to break up the United Kingdom – and Keir Starmer is so weak he would probably give into his demands.”

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here