First Minister John Swinney addressed the controversy surrounding his decision not to invite Reform UK to a political summit aimed at discussing the threat posed by the far right. While Reform UK denies being far-right and believes the meeting is an attempt to suppress its growing electoral support, Swinney emphasized that the summit, scheduled for Wednesday, would examine shared values. He expressed significant concerns over Reform’s stance on immigration, stressing the importance of addressing the issue.
In a bid to unite various parties and prevent the far right from gaining ground in Scottish politics, Swinney first proposed the summit in February. Despite Reform UK’s denial of far-right extremism and its substantial 7% vote share in the 2024 general election, the party, led by Nigel Farage, has not received an invitation. Recent polling suggests that Reform UK’s support could potentially reach as high as 17%, indicating a sizeable presence in Holyrood following next year’s election.
Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr criticized the summit as “anti-democratic,” highlighting the core policy differences between the party and Swinney’s administration. Kerr dismissed claims of racism based on Reform UK’s immigration policies, emphasizing the need for policy debates rather than exclusionary tactics. Swinney underscored the importance of safeguarding democratic systems in Scotland, emphasizing the risks posed by external pressures that seek to undermine societal values.
Amid the political rift, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay opted not to attend Swinney’s summit, citing its redundancy and labeling it a mere “talking shop.” Findlay suggested a shift in focus towards addressing organized crime following recent gang-related incidents in Scotland. As Reform UK continues to gain traction ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, Kerr hinted at the party’s potential abstention from voting on the next first minister, underscoring the challenges posed by aligning with either major political faction post-election
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