Nigel Farage's Reform UK has declared that it will use its successes in the Holyrood elections as a 'stepping stone' towards running Scotland. The party saw a surge in support across the country, securing its first victories at Holyrood, but failed to win any constituency seats. Other pro-Union parties blamed Reform for helping the SNP dominate the constituency vote.
Reform UK's Performance
Reform came closest to a constituency victory in Banffshire and Buchan Coast, where candidate Conrad Ritchie finished second, just 364 votes behind the SNP's Karen Adam. In Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, senior Reform UK candidate Thomas Kerr, elected on the regional list, secured 25.8% of the vote, finishing second to the SNP.
Kerr dismissed claims that his party's successes helped the SNP win key seats, saying: 'I think those people are off their nut if that's the case. We nearly won Banff and Buchan and if the Tories hadn't stood in that seat, we would have actually defeated an SNP MSP.' He added: 'I'm fed up hearing this nonsense about tactical voting. We are the new kids on the block, we are shaking the political establishment.'
Future Ambitions
Kerr described the results as a 'very good stepping stone' for Reform UK, with plans to push forward into council elections next year and the general election. He ruled out any alliance with the Tories, stating: 'I left the Tories for a reason, I am not interested in speaking to that party.' He predicted that another five years of SNP government would be necessary, but Reform would provide a 'real alternative' for Scotland, aiming to win councils, elect MPs, and eventually replace the SNP and Greens by 2031.
Lord Malcolm Offord, Reform UK's Scottish leader, finished third in Inverclyde with 17.6% of the vote. He expressed his ambition to become First Minister but said if not, Reform would be a 'strong voice in opposition'. Offord pledged to 'hold the government to account' on devolved matters and focus on improving roads, schools, hospitals, and police, rather than constitutional debates.
