Scotland's First Minister has launched a scathing attack on Reform UK, branding Nigel Farage's party a 'recycling machine for the Tory party' ahead of a key leadership announcement in Edinburgh.
Farage's Edinburgh Visit and Leadership Speculation
John Swinney made the remarks on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, just before Nigel Farage's scheduled visit to the Scottish capital. The Reform UK leader is due in Edinburgh on Thursday to unveil the party's new Scottish leader.
The individual widely tipped for the role is Lord Offord, a peer who defected from the Conservative Party last month. Prior to his departure, Lord Offord served as treasurer of the Scottish Conservatives and held a ministerial position in the last Tory government.
Swinney's Stinging Rebuke of Reform's Politics
When questioned about the impending announcement, the First Minister did not mince his words. He told the Press Association that it was highly probable the new Scottish Reform leader would be a former Conservative, given the party's apparent role as a 'recycling machine'.
'What Reform represents is the politics of division and hate,' Mr Swinney stated emphatically. 'I don't think those politics are attractive to mainstream opinion within Scotland.'
He vowed to directly confront the party, stating: 'So we'll take on Reform. I'm going to have nothing to do with the politics of Reform. I will confront the baseless arguments that they put forward, and whoever the leader is, I will challenge them with the fact that their politics have no place in Scotland.'
A Growing Trend of Tory Defections
The First Minister's comments come amidst a steady stream of defections from the Conservatives to Reform UK. The most high-profile recent move was by former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who joined Reform on Monday, 12 January 2026. Zahawi, who was chancellor for only two months, is among approximately 20 former Tory MPs who have crossed the floor.
In Scotland, former Tory MSP Graham Simpson defected to Reform last year and currently serves as the party's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament.
Lord Offord has confirmed that, should he be appointed leader, he would resign his membership of the House of Lords to stand as an MSP in the Holyrood election this May. This is necessitated by legislation passed last year which disqualifies Lords from becoming MSPs.
Reform UK is currently polling second behind the SNP for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, positioning the party as a significant challenger. Reform UK has been approached for comment on the First Minister's statements.
