John Swinney was today accused of silencing the voice of thousands of voters by saying he would lock Reform UK out of cross-party talks at Holyrood.
The SNP leader, who is expected to become First Minister, told a media briefing in Edinburgh that because his party did not win a majority he will call a meeting of opposition leaders to build cross-party cooperation.
But Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord – whose 17-strong group of MSPs is the joint second largest in the parliament – will not be invited.
“While I obviously recognised that some people in Scotland support Reform there is no doubt that many of our fellow Scots will be feeling very unsettled by the prospect of a party taking seats in the Scottish parliament which holds such hostility to minority groups in our country,” said Mr Swinney.
“My commitment is to ensure Nigel Farage and Reform are locked out of governance in Scotland. I will be engaging in talks with other opposition parties in the coming days.”
In a statement issued after the briefing, an outraged Mr Offord responded by saying: “This is a disgraceful attempt by John Swinney and the SNP to silence the hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland who are backing Reform UK.
“As of Friday evening, the people of Scotland made us the second largest party in the country.
“The First Minister talks endlessly about democracy and inclusion, yet the moment voters support a party that challenges the failing political consensus at Holyrood, he wants to pretend they don’t exist.
“It is arrogant, petty and deeply undemocratic. What’s more, exactly the kind of out-of-touch establishment politics people are sick of.
“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.
“Reform UK will continue fighting for ordinary people who feel abandoned by the political class.”
Mr Swinney went on to say that Mr Farage looked destined become the next Prime Minister and that “it is vital our parliament is fully ‘Farage-proof’.”
That required ensuring Scotland was able to become independent, he said, adding that he would be saying more about this in the “coming days and weeks.”
Referring to the nationalist parties also now being in control in Northern Ireland and Wales, he said: “The direction of travel is clear. What the people in London like to refer to – rather patronisingly as the Celtic fringe – is very much about to become centre stage.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Less than 24 hours after the Scottish Conservatives stopped the majority that John Swinney said he would get, he is shamelessly attempting to move the goalposts.
“While it might be tempting to dismiss him as an independence obsessed crank, we know that he is deadly serious which is why we will continue to say ‘no’.”
Mr Swinney has called on the UK government to “do more listening” and today said he would be listening to various demands from business.
However, he immediately dismissed calls from business to drop his plans for a food price cap, despite being told by several trade groups that it would not work and could be damaging. He insisted he would push through legislation within months.
#Swinney #silencing #voters #snub #Reform #Daily #Business