The SNP has described 2025 as a year of failure for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, arguing that Labour’s first full calendar year in government has delivered broken promises, economic decline and continued damage to Scotland.
The criticism comes after Sir Keir Starmer campaigned on a pledge of change following 14 years of Conservative government, with SNP figures saying that promise has not been reflected in policy or outcomes since Labour took office.
The party points to a series of political and economic indicators during 2025, including record low approval ratings, stagnant living standards and mounting pressure on key Scottish industries.
Polling by YouGov during the year recorded Keir Starmer’s favourability rating at just 18 percent, while Ipsos figures showed the lowest satisfaction ratings ever recorded for a UK Prime Minister in a polling series running for almost 50 years.
Labour also recorded some of its worst polling results on record during 2025, at times being overtaken by Reform UK and falling behind the Green Party.
The SNP says Labour’s promise to kickstart economic growth has not materialised, with the UK economy shrinking towards the end of the year despite repeated assurances from the Prime Minister.
It also points to continued cost-of-living pressures, arguing that food prices remain high and households have not felt the benefits Labour promised during the election campaign.
In Scotland, the party highlights what it describes as repeated blows to key sectors, including offshore energy, steel, fishing and manufacturing, alongside rising energy bills linked to the cost of nuclear projects in England.
The SNP also criticises Labour’s continued refusal to rejoin the EU single market or customs union, despite acknowledging the economic damage caused by Brexit.
Concerns have also been raised over reduced funding support for Scotland’s fishing industry, rising National Insurance costs for employers, continued inaction on WASPI compensation, and new House of Lords appointments despite earlier promises of reform.
Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said:
“Keir Starmer repeatedly promised voters ‘change’ from fourteen years of a failed Tory Westminster government.
“Yet in his first full calendar year as Prime Minister he has taken Labour to new lows with a litany of failure in Scotland.
“Whether it’s the decision to break their promise on energy bills, his absolute failure to keep the promises he made to become Labour leader, or his refusal to address the disaster which is Brexit, it is clearer than ever that it makes no difference to people in Scotland which party is in power at Westminster.
“He has presided over a series of blows to the Scottish economy which has seen significant job losses.
“Promises to grow the economy, address higher food prices and lower energy bills, are now looking like hot air.
“We may have seen a change in the occupant of Number 10, but this year has seen the same kind of Westminster failure as we saw with the Tories.
“The reality is that whichever party is in charge at Westminster, they will never have the interests of Scotland at its heart.
“Only the SNP will put Scotland’s interests first and offer meaningful change for Scotland’s economy, households and businesses.
“Ultimately, only the full powers of independence will allow us to escape Westminster failures and herald a fresh start for Scotland.”
