First Minister John Swinney accuses new UK Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander of sabotaging cross-border cooperation, blaming his dual role in the Scottish Labour election campaign for the souring relationship — a stark contrast to the more collaborative era under Ian Murray. Though Alexander’s appointment in September 2025 coincided with rising tensions, Swinney insists his criticism is not personal, focusing instead on the need to improve life for Scots. He also disagrees with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s push for regional mayors, preferring Scotland’s current local authority system. Despite these rifts, Swinney remains open to dialogue, even inviting Burnham to visit Scotland — their first call since Burnham took office.
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