The First Minister said the prospect of three nationalist administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast would mean the UK was “changed irreversibly”.
It comes as the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland could all elect nationalist governments for the first time after elections on May 7.Â
The SNP are currently polling ahead with just two weeks of the Holyrood campaign remaining, while Plaid Cymru could emerge as the largest party in the Welsh Senedd for the first time.Â
READ MORE: LibDems would ‘back Labour to oust SNP’ says Alex Cole-Hamilton
Sinn Fein’s, Michelle O’Neill is already the First Minister of the Stormont Assembly in Belfast after taking power in 2024 and does not face re-election next month.
Swinney said: “I certainly would enjoy the cooperation with counterparts in Plaid and Sinn Fein in Wales and Northern Ireland.
“It is for each of those individuals to meet their political campaigns in their own countries, and I don’t speak for them.”
“But certainly from my part, I would appreciate that collaboration to change the dynamics of the United Kingdom so that we can, I can secure my objective of winning Scottish independence.
First Minister John SWinney
He added: “Aside from that, I think the United Kingdom would be changed irreversibly if that outcome was to be the case.”
“Obviously, Michelle O’Neill does not face an election in Northern Ireland at this stage, but she will be in office. And obviously the opportunities for Plaid Cymru are very visible in Wales.”
READ MORE: Labour peer defends Number 10 push for Matthew Doyle ambassador role
Swinney said the UK would change irreversibly because of the “nature of the discussions that would then be taking place” between the devolved governments and the United Kingdom Government.
He added it would change “very dramatically” because all three countries would potentially be led by governments that are committed to fundamental change in the United Kingdom.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill does not face re-election (Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Conservatives deputy leader, said many Scots voters would be “appalled” by Swinney’s comments.Â
She said: “Pro-UK voters will be appalled and terrified at the prospect of John Swinney working in cahoots with Sinn Fein to break up the United Kingdom.
“This shows his and the SNP’s true colours – they will gladly team up with any party, in any corner of the UK, so long as they share his obsession with tearing it apart.”