Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
This Is Why
Sky News
4.0 • 552 Ratings
🗓️ 25 May 2026
⏱️ 22 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In all corners of the United Kingdom, parties that back independence are now in charge.
The SNP retained control in Scotland and Plaid Cymru took power in Wales for the first time following the May elections. And, with Sinn Fein becoming the biggest party in Northern Ireland back in 2022, it now means all three devolved legislatures in the UK are led by nationalist parties.
So, what's behind their rise and are there similarities between them?
Niall is joined by Professor Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Aberdeen and Fellow of the Centre on Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:09.8 | The rise of nationalist parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, |
| 0:15.7 | needs acknowledging by Westminster. |
| 0:17.8 | And this is why. |
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| 1:41.0 | Hi everyone, Neil here. And as it's a bank holiday weekend, we thought we'd slow things down a little and reflect on the current state of politics, because something rather interesting is going on, or perhaps worrying, depending on your thoughts on the United Kingdom. |
| 1:44.9 | Recent elections mean that currently, in the devolved parts of the country, |
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