Swinney ‘not credible’ on Scotland’s national security, says Labour’s Sarwar
First Minister John Swinney is “not credible” on key issues around national security, his Labour rival Anas Sarwar has insisted.
Mr Sarwar hit out at the SNP leader’s support for unilateral disarmament, and also accused his Government of failing to invest in the skills needed for jobs in the country’s defence sector.
With the UK Government having recently committed to increasing defence spending, the Scottish Labour leader said there could be benefits for Scotland from this.
In addition to increasing the defence budget to 2.5% of GDP – a move which comes at the expense of international aid spending – Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a visit to Scotland last week to announce that £2 billion more will be made available to help finance purchases from UK defence firms.
However, Labour is concerned the Scottish Government’s “failure” to support skills needed in the manufacturing sector means the country may not fully benefit from the increase in spending this could bring.
Last year, there were 184,210 jobs in manufacturing, it said, adding this total had now fallen to a 15-year low.
Meanwhile, it was announced on Monday that a shipyard in Poland is the preferred bidder for the latest CalMac ferries, with the publicly owned Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow missing out.
Hitting out at the Scottish Government, Mr Sarwar said: “The Labour Government has acted swiftly to strengthen our defences in the face of a changing world.
“Not only is this the right thing to do for our national security but, here in Scotland, it has the potential to boost growth and deliver jobs too.”
Mr Sarwar added that Scotland’s “exceptional manufacturing, engineering and shipbuilding industries” meant the country is “perfectly placed to benefit from this crucial investment”.
The Scottish Labour leader added: “Under the Tories and the SNP, Scotland’s iconic manufacturing industry was allowed to decline and last year jobs hit a 15-year low – but Labour will turn the tide. ”
Adding that the level of investment in the sector “could be transformative”, Mr Sarwar stated: “We need to make sure that the Scottish Government plays its part in Scotland’s security.
“From failing to support skills development here, to their continued belief that the UK should give up its nuclear deterrent while Putin keeps his – John Swinney isn’t serious or credible on national security.
“While the SNP sends contracts abroad and has Scottish ferries built in Poland, Labour is investing billions in Scotland and supporting Scottish jobs.”
A spokesperson for Mr Swinney said: “If nuclear weapons were the solution to national defence, Keir Starmer would not be committing to increased conventional defence spending – but he is doing so precisely because nuclear weapons will not keep us safe from the threats we face.
“Labour should explain to the people of Scotland why we should be spending billions of pounds every year on nuclear weapons rather than investing in conventional defence forces – all while the UK has repeatedly slashed its numbers of regular troops.
“At a time of growing international uncertainty, Labour in Scotland should be genuinely focussed on national security rather than betraying their own political insecurities.”
