The British state is facing an existential crisis, driven by a dramatic realignment in Scotland and Wales. Decades of constitutional stability maintained by the traditional Labour /Tory role has fragmented, as nationalist, pro-independence governments have taken power across the devolved nations.

This prejudice was very clear in Wes Streeting’s resignation speech as Health minister when he said: “For the first time in our country’s history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom – including the English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

Drawing a parallel between the SNP and Plaid and Reform UK – a fascist organisation – on the other, is outrageous in concept and divisive in practice.

Not all nationalisms are the same. The self-determination of nations, for example, and the demands that arise from it, are entirely legitimate, whilst the “English nationalism”of Reform UK represents the biggest threat to the workers movement in the UK since the Second World War.

Whilst nationalism as an ideology is reactionary, the right of self-determination and the pursuit and defense of national rights is entirely progressive.

Pro-independence parties did well in both Scotland and Wales calling the future of the British State – as currently constituted – into question. Plaid is pro-independence although this was not part of its platform for these elections.

The SNP won a remarkable fifth consecutive term of office in Scotland — just short of an overall majority — which would, the SNP says, have triggered the demand for a second independence referendum. The SNP won 58 seats, with 65 needed for a majority – a very high bar. Also the SNP had its insurgency 19 years ago and is now seen as a natural party of government.

Labour, which had expected to outpoll the SNP, finished a distant second with 17 seats – exactly the same as Reform. The Scottish Greens, who are strongly pro-indepenence, won a record 15 seats – including its first ever constituency victory.

Labour failed to be the largest party in Wales for the first time ever, leaving Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) to form a minority government with Reform as the official opposition. The new Senedd has 43 Plaid Cymru MSs, 34 Reform, nine Labour, seven Conservative, two Greens and one Lib Dem.

Even in the ex-coal mining valleys where Labour could stand the proverbial donkey on the Labour ticket and win. Plaid leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has been sworn in as First Minister.

There is now a majority in Scotland for independence, and a rising sentiment in Wales – which is a socially progressive development. 

4 September  2026