Party Profiles is a series of interviews with candidates and political heavyweights heading into the 2026 Scottish Government Election. Politicians all want to win you over, but who really has young people’s interests at heart?
The identity of the Scottish National Party has always been tied to the issue of Scottish Independence, and that’s true now more than ever before.
The party is promising an end to the housing emergency, expanded opportunities for young people and increased support for the NHS, but everything the party promises remains tied to the prospect of independence.
After a few politically rocky years, First Minister John Swinney has seemingly knocked the party into shape and refocused the party on independence above everything else.
When Brig spoke with former MP and current SNP candidate for Holyrood, Alyn Smith, he believed “We need to get back to what we’re for, and that’s independence… I think the party got sidetracked into process, not principle”
He emphasised that now was the time for independence, saying “I think everything going on now makes it the priority… the cost of living crisis is delivered by Westminster. I think the UK is operating on a model that’s run out of road.”
But the party has seemingly reframed the issue in recent months; no longer is independence primarily about escaping the clutch of an overbearing Westminster, but instead about rejoining the European Union as soon as possible.
This change in messaging makes sense politically, as polling suggests that support for independence is just below 50 per cent, while 73 per cent of Scots support undoing Brexit and returning to the EU, according to polling by Survation.
But the question remains, what do the SNP actually have to offer voters aside from the amorphous spectre of independence?
What does the party offer young people?
The First Minister described the SNP to Brig as a “moderate left-of-centre party that cares about the future of young people.”
He claimed that “The politics of the SNP are about eradicating child poverty, growing economic opportunities, making the transition to net-zero and strengthening our public services.”
Swinney added that all of these policies would be far more doable with independence, and that EU and single-market membership would massively bolster Scotland’s economy while expanding the economic opportunities available to young people.
Alyn Smith claimed that access to housing and well-paying jobs are the key issues affecting young people, and that the solution is rejoining the single market.
“The thing that’s holding us back is there’s just not enough money in the system, I think Independence in Europe would boost that.
“The UK controls all the big economic levers. I think the UK is working to a flawed economic model. Local income tax should shift away from taxing employment and towards taxing assets, wealth and land. We’re taxing the wrong things; we need to favour small businesses.”
He also claimed that a single-market-bolstered economy would allow Scotland to put far more money into supporting the NHS, which polls show is a key issue for voters at this election.
Smith also mentioned wanting to improve bus services, possibly through nationalisation, and maintain many status quo services, including free prescriptions and tuition.
But he reiterated that “All of this costs money, and the big answer is we need more money in the system”
The Housing Emergency
The SNP know that the housing emergency is a key issue for voters, with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, saying “Housing is important now, and will be urgent for the election”
The Chartered Institute of Housing for Scotland declared a housing emergency in 2024, which has since been echoed by the Scottish Government and numerous local authorities.
Alyn Smith told Brig, “I think we have a housing emergency that’s just not been taken seriously.”
Smith highlighted the damage caused by the pervasiveness of short-term rental properties, such as Airbnb’s, which reduce the number of properties on the market and cause the prices on remaining rental properties to rise.
To solve this Crisis, the Scottish Government rolled out the More Homes project under the Housing 2040 Act, which aims to support the construction of more homes across Scotland. However, the government is currently not on track to hit its 2040 construction targets.
Research conducted by the CIH and housing charity Shelter claims that the Government must build at least 15,690 affordable homes each year to tackle the crisis.
CIH Director, Gillian McLees, said in a statement, “Scotland needs a sustained, long-term programme of investment in affordable housing supply. Without it, we will struggle to reduce homelessness, tackle housing insecurity and support economic growth.”
Alyn Smith believes the housing emergency has been significantly worsened by factors outside of Scotland’s control, saying, “The housing market is a domestic thing, but the economics of the housing economy, like rising insurance, have been hampered by Brexit.”
Beyond Independence
While Independence is the key priority of the SNP, they are still campaigning vocally on other issues.
First Minister Swinney opened his speech to the SNP conference this month by talking about the NHS, saying, “The progress we’ve made is because we’ve put Scotland, and the people’s priorities first; that starts with our National Health Service, and my plan is working.”
Swinney claimed that waiting times are down, while appointments and surgeries are up over the past 18 months. He added that the Scottish Government has been fighting against the cost-of-living crisis by offering free child care up to £6,000 and maintaining free bus travel for young people and the elderly.
The First Minister also spoke at length about ongoing international crises, the military and Scotland’s place on the world stage.
“Let me be clear, we will not stay silent while the world burns. We will raise our voices, we will call out for peace. Peace in Iran, in Gaza, in Ukraine. We will speak out against injustice and speak up for those who cannot, and, with the SNP, Scotland’s voice will never, ever be silenced.
“We have to make sure our country is safe, but that is not achieved by wasting hundreds of billions of pounds on weapons of mass destruction, all whilst the UK’s conventional forces are left exposed. Weapons of mass destruction have no place in the world – and Trident nuclear weapons have no place in Scotland.”
On the ongoing conflict in Iran, Swinney stated, “Let me be clear: The unjustifiable actions of the United States and Israel have no basis under international law. They. Must. Stop. For the sake of the innocent children of Iran. For the sake of peace.”
Swinney proclaimed that a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons would be enshrined in the constitution of an independent Scotland, and that foreign military powers would not be permitted to engage in illegal wars from Scotland’s shores.
“Two statements will be written directly into the very foundational document of our new nation. Not in our name, not in our country.”
The Promise of a New Tomorrow?
In a sea of political negativity, the SNP’s message is comparatively hopeful, as the party promises a better future for Scotland, built on strong social structures and an economy strengthened by the EU single market.
The party have a long track record in government, both good and bad, an exclusive focus on Scotland and a key promise that resonates with voters: change.
But that promise is tied directly to independence, which would require an independence-supporting majority in Holyrood to petition for a separate referendum, which may not even be permitted by Westminster.
Even if they are unable to achieve a referendum, the SNP are still promising to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and housing emergency facing Scotland, while prioritising the NHS and securing Scotland’s economic future.
Alyn Smith left Brig with a final word to young people, saying, “Old people in big houses with big pensions, they’re voting, and they’ll vote in their interests, not yours.
“If you’re going to deal with the consequences of people in big rooms making decisions for you, you’d best have a word on who they are, you’ll be living with the consequences of it far longer.”
More Party Profiles can be found here.
Featured Image Credit: SNP.org
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