CAMPAIGNERS took part in a protest against Keir Starmer's visit to Scotland to host the inaugural meeting of the Council of Regions and Nations on Friday.
Organised by protest group the Scottish Resistance and other pro-independence groups, it saw dozens of activists hitting out at the Prime Minister’s appearance while he hosted the first meeting in an effort to “rewire” the way the UK Government interacts with devolved areas.
Scottish independence supporter and activist Sean Clerkin was also in attendance, and told The National he was there, in particular, to hit out at recent decisions including cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.
"Pensioners are going to die,” he said – adding that Keir Starmer’s government is to blame.
📹 WATCH: A small group of protesters have gathered outside the Scotland Office in Edinburgh as Keir Starmer visits the capital for the first Council of the Nations and Regions 👀 pic.twitter.com/itSQy7x5de
— The National (@ScotNational) October 11, 2024
The Star Wars theme song blared out throughout with one protester with a megaphone shouting: “The Government strikes back.”
Another said they would stay until Starmer “scuttles out the back door” and slammed John Swinney for even attending.
Figures in Scotland have criticised the UK Government for not inviting Scottish council leaders.
Glasgow council leader Susan Aitken said that this means Starmer is effectively “ignoring and excluding” not only Glasgow but other Scottish cities while Edinburgh council leader Cammy joined in criticism of the exclusion by signing a letter to Starmer calling for “immediate consideration of parity of representation” for Scottish councils.
Swinney met with Starmer ahead of the meeting, and was expected to call on Starmer to work with the Scottish Government to raise living standards, end austerity and attract private investment to key industries in Scotland.
Despite her move to become the “envoy to the nations and regions”, former Downing Street chief of staff Sue Gray did not appear at the inaugural meeting.
Her attendance was described by analysis in The Scotsman as "key to Labour's council of nations and regions meeting in Scotland being worthwhile."
