In a wide-ranging radio interview with Bylines Scotland writer Martin Roche, former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is wrong to stick to Labour’s “red lines” of keeping the UK out of the European single market and the customs union. Ms Sturgeon said that the Westminster government’s position on Europe is “the biggest single barrier to achieving growth in the economy”.
Speaking in an interview for Glad Radio in her Glasgow Southside constituency, Sturgeon said she had worked with Starmer in efforts to soften the then Conservative government’s “hard Brexit”.
Indicating that the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had been strongly pro-EU in the past, Sturgeon said: “If Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves listened to former versions of themselves, they would know how wrong they are.”
Sturgeon, who has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 1999, argued that Labour’s stance on Europe is because it fears the rise of Reform. It worries that taking a more common sense view on Europe might go down badly in “Red Wall” constituencies that voted for Brexit in 2016. Many of these once traditional Labour seats in the North of England fell to the Conservatives after the Brexit referendum. Labour won almost all of them back at the general election last year.
“Trying to see off Reform by being a bit more like them is a recipe for disaster”, said the MSP.
Turning to the rise of populist politics in Europe and the USA, Sturgeon condemned the culture of blaming vulnerable groups in society for the problems people face in their daily lives.
The former SNP leader argued that history tells us that the political “strong man” and the demonisation of minorities and vulnerable groups leads ultimately to failure. She called for the Centre and Left of politics to come together to see off the challenges of populism.
“Democracy is under more question and more threat than at any time in my lifetime. We have to really stand up and fight for democracy. We must make a case for it. That starts in local communities. If you can’t win the argument locally, you’re not going to win it in the country.”
No place for “sucking up” to Trump
While she recognised the need for governments to have the best possible relationship with the USA and the Trump administration, she strongly argued that there is no place for “sucking up” to the new American government.
She called the political stances and policies of President Donald Trump and Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, “the road to ruin”.
“We are in danger of blaming the wrong people for the problems we have.”
“We must stand up for a progressive, inclusive, equal society; a vision of society we believe in. That’s the choice politicians have. Do you try to tackle the Right by imitating them, or do you stand up for what you believe in? Too many politicians right now are making the wrong choice on that.”
“If progressive, liberal people who care about democracy kowtow to the Donald Trumps and Nigel Farages of this world, we are on a pretty rocky path.”
“Proudest” policy in government
Sturgeon singled out the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) as the policy she is most proud of that was introduced during her time as first minister. The SCP is a payment made to the poorest families in Scotland. It is estimated to be supporting the lives of 100,000 children.
Sturgeon said: “The payment helps provide the basic things that are taken for granted in better off homes. It’s about the quality of childhood. The SCP is helping to transform childhoods and that helps improve life chances.”
A 2024 report by the charity The Joseph Rowntree Foundation predicted that the SCP would “reduce child poverty in Scotland by 4% between 2020–23 and 2024-25”.
“100% Yes”
During the interview, Sturgeon also talked about Scottish education, issues around gender and equality, climate change, Grangemouth and the Scottish economy and tackling long-term economic decline in former industrial towns. She said she has not yet decided if she will stand for election to Holyrood at the Scottish general election next year. The SNP has announced she has been approved as a party candidate.
The final question the MSP was asked if she believed Scotland would be independent in her lifetime?
“100% Yes” was her reply.
You can hear the full interview with Nicola Sturgeon here.
The interview with Nicola Sturgeon was recorded at Glad Radio’s Deep End studio in Govanhill, Glasgow on 31st January 2025. Glad Radio is a community radio station. Bylines Scotland is grateful to Glad Radio for permission to post the interview.
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