Holyrood Reacts to Trumps Win
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has congratulated Donald Trump after he declared victory in the US presidential election, a result that has sparked strong and contrasting reactions across Scottish political circles. Trump, who has significant ties to Scotland through family and business, is once again poised to step into the White House, which has reignited both support and criticism within Scotland.
Swinney, leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has a complex relationship with Trump, particularly given that Trump’s positions often run counter to SNP values. While Swinney congratulated Trump as protocol demands, his gesture comes amid a wider backdrop of Scottish political figures publicly favouring Trump’s opponent, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Swinney had voiced his preference for Harris prior to the election, a move criticised by Trump’s business in Scotland, which branded it an “insult.”
Yet Swinney has been clear that he’s driven by values rather than personal preferences. He commented on social media, “In that relationship, we will stand fast in support of our values of fairness, democracy and equality – ideals that America was built upon.” While careful not to alienate a longstanding ally like the US, Swinney emphasised that his vision of Scotland aligns with ideals he feels Harris better represents.
Trump’s ties to Scotland are both personal and economic. His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis, making Trump half-Scottish. Additionally, his company owns two prestigious golf courses in Scotland: Turnberry in Ayrshire and another resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire. These properties represent a significant investment in Scottish tourism, and Trump’s business presence is substantial enough to have an impact on local employment.
But even with this connection, Swinney has not been hesitant to voice his views against Trump’s policies. He notably added that he reached his decision to support Harris “not only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence,” hinting at the broader ideological rift. Trump, in a recent podcast, expressed his wish for the UK to “always stay together,” a stance that directly contrasts with the SNP’s pro-independence position. Trump’s team later called Swinney’s endorsement of Harris “appalling,” demonstrating the tension his candidacy stirs in Scottish politics.
Swinney was not alone in backing Harris. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also voiced his support for Harris, expressing to the BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show that “the world wins” if the US does not elect a “divisive figure.” Sarwar argued that many around the globe look to the US election as a signal of how progressive values, tolerance, and unity can flourish worldwide. He believes Harris represents these ideals far more than Trump does.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, took his support a step further by travelling to the US to campaign for Harris. Cole-Hamilton, who previously campaigned for Barack Obama in 2008, referred to Trump’s re-election as “devastating.” He expressed concerns about the future for vulnerable communities, including women, people seeking asylum, and the LGBTQ+ community. Posting on social media, he reflected, “I’ll never forget or regret my time helping out or the people I met – just wish I’d done more.” His words resonate with a segment of Scots who share a vision of the US that leans more towards Harris’s ideals than Trump’s.
Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater also voiced their disappointment, calling Trump’s return to the White House a “dark day” for several pressing issues, including women’s rights, Ukraine, Gaza, and environmental policies. The Green Party’s focus on environmental sustainability stands in stark contrast to Trump’s approach, which has historically downplayed climate change concerns, something the Greens feel could have a detrimental impact globally.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay was more measured in his remarks, deflecting when asked about his hypothetical support in the US election. Instead, Findlay remarked that he was “a lot more interested in what happens in Scotland than in other countries,” suggesting that Scottish politicians might focus more on local issues than attempting to influence foreign elections. His stance appears to distance him from the more vocal endorsements by other Scottish leaders, reflecting a cautious approach that values neutrality in international affairs.
Scottish political leaders have a history of fraught relations with Trump dating back to his first presidential bid in 2016. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon notably critiqued Trump during his initial campaign, even stripping him of his honorary role as a business ambassador for Scotland following his remarks about banning Muslims from entering the US. When asked at the time if she’d take a call from Trump, Sturgeon quipped, “I’m on the other line, sorry,” underscoring her stance against Trump’s polarising rhetoric.
After Trump’s 2016 win, Sturgeon did ultimately write a congratulatory letter and spoke to him by phone, showing her adherence to formal diplomatic protocols. But her personal reservations about Trump remained evident. In response to Trump’s recent victory, Sturgeon posted an image of the Statue of Liberty in tears, a poignant symbol that echoed the sentiments of many Scots concerned about the direction of US politics under another Trump administration.
