Keir Starmer says change for Scotland ‘starts now’ & vows to work with Swinney

NEW Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared change for Scotland “starts now” — as he vowed to work in a “respectful” way with John Swinney.

The Labour supremo delivered the pledge after meeting the First Minister in Edinburgh in his first official trip since last Thursday’s election triumph.

He insisted he wanted to “reset the relationship” after years of friction between Westminster and Holyrood under a succession of Tory PMs.

SNP leader Mr Swinney later said their talks had “established the foundation for a productive relationship” between the two governments.

The pair’s discussions included the future of Scotland’s only oil refinery at Grangemouth, which could cease operations as early as next year.

Sir Keir said: “The point of this meeting was to reset the relationship in a respectful way, constructive way.

“And to recognise that on the economy, energy and, very pressingly, on Grangemouth, there is room for us to have a constructive way of delivering for many people across Scotland.”

Mr Starmer admitted he was “very concerned” about the situation at Grangemouth, adding it was his duty to “do what I can” to ensure jobs are preserved.

It was Anas’ leadership here that changed Scottish Labour and allowed us to return a team of 37 Labour MPs in Scotland

Sir Keir Starmer

He said he’d already asked Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to work on the issue.

The PM went on: “I discussed that with the First Minister. We have a shared concern and shared commitment — a determination to do everything we can.

“These are the early days of my government but I’ve rolled up my sleeves and got on with this because it’s so very important in relation to those jobs and future jobs that are at stake.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray also joined the discussions in Bute House to discuss the economy and net zero.

Earlier, the PM had heaped praise on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar after the party gained 36 seats north of the border to take their overall tally to 37.

Sir Keir addressed the new MPs at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, in Edinburgh city centre.

Hailing Mr Sarwar’s “incredible” achievement, he said: “I don’t think there are many political leaders who could have done what Anas has done in the last three or so years.

“Going from an incredibly low base in 2019 to return 37 Labour MPs at this General Election. That is leadership.

We’ll campaign hard in 2026 and, for obvious reasons, want that success. But I want to be clear that the change that I promised I’d deliver for Scotland starts now

Sir Keir Starmer

“Happily for Anas and me, and for Scotland, it’s a shared initiative. We have worked together on this.”

Asked by The Scottish Sun whether his priority will now turn to ensuring Mr Sarwar becomes First Minister at the 2026 Holyrood election, the PM said: “I’m very pleased we’ve just won the General Election and have won a huge mandate for change.

“One of the reasons I wanted to come here was to make good on my promise to Scottish voters that I’d deliver for Scotland after the election. So we start that delivery now, that change now.

“We wouldn’t have won if we hadn’t changed the Labour Party.

“That’s why it’s very important for me to have my first engagement with Anas because it was his leadership here that changed Scottish Labour and allowed us to return a team of 37 Labour MPs in Scotland.”

He added: “We’ll campaign hard in 2026 and, for obvious reasons, want that success. But I want to be clear that the change that I promised I’d deliver for Scotland starts now.

“That’s why I’m here for my first engagement as Prime Minister two days after the King invited me to form a government.

“It was very important for me to come back and for everybody to understand that when I said I’d deliver for Scotland, I came back to make good on that commitment.”

After greeting his party’s new Scots MPs, Sir Keir was whisked to nearby Bute House to meet Mr Swinney.

But his convoy of motors had to use the back entrance due to a demo by pro-Palestinian activists outside the front door.

On a personal note, I again offered Sir Keir and his family my congratulations on his appointment and my best wishes for what will be a demanding start to his term in office

John Swinney

They chanted loudly and waved flags as Mr Starmer sat with the First Minister in their first face-to-face meeting since the election, though they spoke by phone last Friday.

Afterwards, the Nats chief, Mr Swinney said: “I was pleased to welcome Sir Keir to Bute House so soon after his appointment as UK Prime Minister.

“We continued our conversation about areas of shared interest. I believe there is an opportunity for collaborative working that can make a difference to people’s lives.

“And I hope to work with his new government to deliver progress for the benefit of people in Scotland.

“I am confident we have established the foundation for a productive relationship between our two governments based on renewed respect for the devolution settlement.”

The First Minister added: “On a personal note, I again offered Sir Keir and his family my congratulations on his appointment and my best wishes for what will be a demanding start to his term in office.”