SNP leader John Swinney rules out Holyrood talks with Reform UK
SNP leader John Swinney rules out Holyrood talks with Reform UK
SNP leader John Swinney rules out Holyrood – John Swinney, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has decided not to engage in discussions with Reform UK as his party prepares to return to government. Despite securing a fifth consecutive Holyrood election victory, the SNP remains seven seats short of a majority, which will require alliances with other parties to pass key legislation. The election results saw Labour and Reform UK tie for second place with 17 seats each, followed by the Greens with 15, the Conservatives with 12, and the Liberal Democrats with 10.
Swinney emphasized at a news conference in Edinburgh that the SNP was the clear frontrunner, asserting the party would assume governance and extend invitations to individual leaders of other parties from the following week—excluding Reform UK. He highlighted prior collaborations with the Greens and Liberal Democrats on budgetary matters, while noting the SNP had worked constructively with the Conservatives and Labour on various issues. However, Swinney made it clear that Reform’s leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, would not be invited for talks, citing a lack of alignment with the SNP’s vision for Scotland.
“Reform’s leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, accused Swinney of being ‘arrogant, petty, and deeply undemocratic.’”
Offord’s critique of Swinney comes amid concerns over the SNP’s stance on independence. Swinney argued that the election results in England, where Reform UK gained over 1,400 councillors, and in Wales, where it is the second-largest party in the Senedd, underscore the urgency of Scotland’s independence movement. He warned that Nigel Farage, the UK Independence Party leader, was ‘galloping’ toward Downing Street, which he claimed would be ‘catastrophic’ for Scotland’s constitutional ambitions.
Swinney underscored the importance of unity in Scotland to safeguard the parliament from external influence, stating that the SNP aimed to secure the authority to determine Scotland’s constitutional path before 2029. ‘That means having the power to decide our own future without Farage being able to block us,’ he added. The SNP leader also pointed to the political momentum in Wales and Northern Ireland, where Plaid Cymru and other parties have demonstrated a commitment to fundamental constitutional change.
“He said, ‘It is vital that we unite in Scotland to ensure our parliament is fully Farage-proofed.’”
Swinney reiterated that the SNP’s consecutive pro-independence majority in elections had created a clear mandate for a second referendum. ‘This support has been ignored by both Labour and Tory prime ministers year after year,’ he stated. However, the UK government has consistently refused to consider the idea of a new independence vote, despite the SNP’s efforts to secure backing for such a move.
While the SNP’s electoral success was notable, their constituency vote share dropped by nearly 10% compared to the 2021 Holyrood election, and regional support fell by over 13%. The combined pro-independence vote share between the SNP and Greens totaled just over 40% across constituencies and regions, indicating a shift in the political landscape. Offord, meanwhile, dismissed independence as a ‘dead duck,’ arguing that ‘it’s not going to happen.’ He accused Swinney of ‘exactly the kind of out-of-touch establishment politics people are sick of,’ suggesting the SNP leader was out of touch with Scottish voters’ demands.
“’The SNP can lock the doors of St Andrew’s House if they like, but they cannot shut down the growing demand for real change in Scotland,’ Offord said.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticized Swinney for ‘shamelessly attempting to move the goalposts’ on independence. ‘He is brazenly peddling a massive lie by claiming he has the support and mandate for another divisive referendum,’ Findlay claimed. Despite its worst-ever performance in a Holyrood election, Findlay positioned his party as the ‘only strong, credible voice of opposition’ in the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer stated that Reform UK’s inclusion in cross-party talks was unnecessary, pledging continued collaboration with the SNP on cost-of-living measures. ‘There is no need for Reform to be part of these discussions,’ Greer said, emphasizing the Greens’ focus on practical reforms. In contrast, Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, argued that his party’s role in depriving the SNP of a majority meant the independence referendum should be ‘put in the deep freeze for at least the next five years.’ He hoped the new parliament of minorities would work constructively to find consensus.
Swinney’s refusal to invite Reform UK reflects broader tensions in Scottish politics. The SNP leader framed the party’s position as essential to maintaining control over constitutional decisions, especially as the UK government remains resistant to independence. ‘The SNP has a mandate to pursue this path,’ he stated, while acknowledging the challenges posed by a divided parliament.
The decision to exclude Reform UK from talks also highlights the SNP’s strategic focus on consolidating support. Swinney emphasized that the party’s leadership would prioritize strengthening alliances with pro-independence partners, even as it faces pressure to negotiate with opposition groups. The absence of a majority means the SNP must navigate a complex political environment, balancing its nationalist goals with the need for pragmatic cooperation.
“’There has now been a pro-independence majority for four elections in a row, but this mandate has been ignored by both Labour and Tory prime ministers year after year,’ Swinney said.”
As the new Holyrood assembly takes shape, the SNP’s approach will be closely watched. Swinney’s determination to maintain independence as a central issue of governance underscores his party’s commitment to Scotland’s future. Meanwhile, the political landscape in England and Wales continues to influence debates on Scottish self-determination, with Reform UK’s strong performance seen as a potential catalyst for change. The coming months will test the SNP’s ability to rally support and push forward with its constitutional agenda.
Scottish Labour, which opted not to host a media event on Saturday, remains a key player in the coalition dynamics. Its absence from immediate public engagement has drawn attention to the SNP’s leadership role, though the party’s own decline in vote share suggests it may face challenges in maintaining its dominance. As negotiations and policy discussions unfold, the balance of power in Holyrood will shape the trajectory of Scotland’s political future for years to come.