John Swinney has warned that Reform UK poses an “acute threat” to Scottish self-government, arguing that tackling the party is more urgent than pursuing independence. The Scottish First Minister said a strong Reform presence at Holyrood could lead to attempts to abolish the Scottish Parliament.
Recent polling puts Reform, led in Scotland by former Conservative peer Malcolm Offord, neck and neck with Scottish Labour for second place behind the SNP. Swinney told the Guardian that Reform would bring in MSPs who “want to get rid of the place” and could form a UK government that “could well attempt to abolish the Scottish parliament”.
Although Reform’s Scotland manifesto does not propose abolishing Holyrood, the Scottish Election Study found that abolishing the parliament was the most popular constitutional change among Reform supporters. Swinney said the constitutional debate “shifts” as a result.
With the SNP expected to win a fifth term, Plaid Cymru predicted to take power in Wales, and Sinn Féin the largest party in Northern Ireland, Swinney said three nationalist first ministers would “fundamentally change the UK”. He confirmed discussions with Plaid and Sinn Féin are already under way.
Swinney dismissed criticism of his overtures to Sinn Féin, citing the Good Friday Agreement as a reason to move on. He said it would be “ludicrous” not to recognise that achievement.
