London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has accused the Scottish National Party (SNP) of ‘hoarding power’ at Holyrood, suggesting this has left many Scots feeling disillusioned with their Parliament. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Khan also praised former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for her leadership during her time in office.
Sadiq Khan Calls for Change in Scotland
During his appearance at the Fringe, Khan noted that the SNP has governed Scotland since 2007. He observed, ‘We’ve had the SNP in power for a long time in Scotland, and I think they have hoarded power.’ He expressed hope for change in next May’s Holyrood elections, predicting that Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar could become the next First Minister.
Praise for Nicola Sturgeon’s Leadership
While critical of the party’s long hold on power, Khan commended Sturgeon’s leadership during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Nicola Sturgeon was on top of her brief, she knew her stuff,’ he said. He also highlighted their ‘cordial’ dealings during their respective tenures.
A Comparative View on Centralization
Khan compared governance in Scotland and Wales to that in England, stating, ‘Both Cardiff and Edinburgh are as centralised as Whitehall.’ He suggested decentralization remains an issue across the UK.
Khan’s insights come as Scottish Labour intensifies efforts to challenge the SNP’s dominance in Scotland, with next year’s elections quickly approaching.
