Happy New Year to all our supporters. I hope 2025 is a positive year for all of you.
As we turn the page on 2024 [see our review here] and look to the future, I am cautiously optimistic about Scotland remaining secure in the UK.
The optimism comes from the knowledge that Scotland remains stronger in the UK - not just economically, but also in terms of international influence and defence. Scots benefit from free movement across the UK, and most value these benefits. Meanwhile, Scottish nationalists appear to lurch from crisis to crisis, and failure to failure.
However, with that optimism comes caution. Recent polling suggests not only that a significant proportion of Scots think leaving the UK could be an option worth pursuing, but also that the SNP may be the largest party in the Scottish Parliament after the May 2026 election. If that happens, the nationalists could form another administration at Holyrood, and will be able to continue to use the powers of the Scottish Government to drive a wedge between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Having the SNP continuing to run Scotland from 2026 for another five years would be disastrous for two reasons. First, having Scotland run by nationalists who are obsessed with their divisive agenda of separation leads to poor policy and poor outcomes for Scots. Second, the nationalists would continue to influence areas such as education and public spending, trying to create the conditions for a future vote on leaving the UK. Even if there isn’t another referendum after May 2026, there is a long-term danger to Scotland and the UK if there is continued nationalist control of policy and the political agenda.
This year will be a critical year for Scotland. 2025 will set the scene for the next Holyrood election, when Scotland will have the opportunity to remove the nationalists from office. But nothing is certain. I am concerned by the apparent fragmentation of politics in the UK (and elsewhere), and the way people are moving more towards polarised extremes. If this trend continues, pragmatic compromises will be harder, and nationalists and other more extreme elements will benefit. In Scotland, this could well benefit the SNP and its nationalist allies.
In 2025, therefore, Scotland in Union will continue to expose the nationalists’ failings in office; we will call on politicians to focus on what really matters to people; and we will promote the positive case for remaining part of the UK. We will work with the three main pro-UK parties where appropriate to advance this agenda. Our aim in the short to medium term is to help to remove the nationalists from power in Scotland in 2026, so that we can go forward together.
Of course, we can’t do this without your help. We rely on donations from supporters like you to fund our vital work, and we need your help to spread our messages and to encourage others to support us. If you can help us in this important year for Scotland, please see details at the link here.
I hope to see some of you at our Burns Night in Glasgow on 23rd January, and best wishes for 2025 to you all.
Alastair Cameron
Founder and Director, Scotland in Union
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