Nigel Farage has denied being a threat to the Union as he made a flying visit to Scotland today. The Reform UK leader met with his MSPs at a member's club in Edinburgh's New Town after they faced criticism for their ineffectiveness and reliance on political stunts.
Farage defends walk-out and Celtic Alliance swipe
The party received a reprimand from Kenny Gibson, Holyrood's Presiding Officer, last week after Malcolm Offord led a walk-out during a debate on Scottish independence. But Farage praised the move and said it proved Reform was making a mark in Scotland.
Reform won 17 MSPs at May's election - tying it in second place with Labour - but it has struggled to make an impact in Parliament. Asked if he would cause a surge in support for independence if he won power, Farage told reporters: "I've heard all this before. 'If Britain votes to leave the EU, Scotland will leave within three years' - you hear all these threats, don't take them seriously."
Poll suggests independence support could rise
A recent Norstat poll for Believe in Scotland found that support for independence is currently at 52 per cent, but would rise to 65 per cent if Farage won a general election and became Prime Minister.
The Reform leader also took a swipe at John Swinney after the SNP leader travelled to Cardiff to hold discussions with the leaders of Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein.
"The Celtic Alliance is for the birds, frankly," Farage said. "Especially in the case of Wales, where there is not even a debate. In Scotland, it's a settled issue. There was a referendum, it's a generational thing. So, no, I don't see a threat to the United Kingdom because these leaders met the other week."
Offord's walk-out and Gibson's response
Offord, Reform's leader in Scotland, last week tried to have a Holyrood debate on independence cancelled because it related to non-devolved matters. He then led a walk-out of his MSPs when Gibson flatly disagreed, who later called Reform's antics "a gross discourtesy to all members of the chamber".
Offord told MSPs: "This debate is an insult to the Scottish electorate who expect politicians to deal with serious issues in their communities." Announcing that he would withdraw his amendment and leave the chamber, Offord said: "We did not come into this parliament to waste our time on vanity projects."
Gibson later told MSPs he would not tolerate the chamber being used for "stunts". "I consider the actions of Reform UK in leaving the Chamber during yesterday's debate, given they had said not a word against the proposed motion at Bureau or in the Chamber – and, indeed, even lodged an amendment to the motion for debate the previous day – to be a gross discourtesy to everyone in Parliament and deeply disappointing," he said. "I therefore want to make clear that I will not tolerate this chamber being used for such stunts. Anyone choosing to do so will find the likelihood of being called or have amendments selected greatly diminished."
The Record asked the SNP for comment.
