John Swinney Says He Will Block Reform From Scottish Government

Scottish First Minister John Swinney pledged to lock Nigel Farage and Reform out of any role in governing Scotland after his Scottish National Party won the most seats in the Scottish Parliament but fell short of a majority. The SNP secured 58 seats while Labour and Reform each took 17, leaving no single party with control of Holyrood.

Speaking in Edinburgh, Swinney said he would engage other opposition parties in talks to form a stable government that excludes Reform. Swinney described Reform's entry into the Scottish Parliament as a cause for concern among many Scots. He said the party holds hostility toward minority groups and that he remains committed to building a Scotland where everyone feels seen and able to contribute.

"I will build a Scotland where everyone feels seen, where everyone feels at home and where everyone is able to contribute to Scotland’s story," Swinney said. " Swinney linked Reform's gains to the case for Scottish independence. He warned that Nigel Farage is galloping towards Downing Street and that a Reform-led UK government is more likely than not.

"The UK may well soon have a Prime Minister who is openly hostile to minority groups, who has called for the privatisation of the NHS and the abolition of the Scottish Parliament," Swinney said. "It is vital that we unite in Scotland to ensure our parliament is fully Farage-proofed.

He said the results across the UK made clear why the need for independence is so urgent and that the way forward must be decided in Scotland. Swinney stopped short of setting a firm date for a new referendum but indicated the SNP would pursue the legal ability to hold one before the end of the current UK parliamentary term.

In 2021 the SNP had formed a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens to secure a pro-independence majority, though that deal collapsed in April 2024.

The SNP leader said he would begin discussions with other parties in the coming days to secure a stable and inclusive approach to governance. He reaffirmed a commitment made when he took office to ensure Reform has no influence over Scottish decisions.

Reform's success in winning seats in Scotland marks a shift in the political landscape north of the border. Swinney acknowledged that some people in Scotland support the party but maintained that its presence unsettles many others. The outcome leaves the SNP seeking partners to maintain its position as the largest force in Holyrood while advancing its constitutional goals.

Swinney presented independence as the safeguard against decisions taken by a potential future UK government hostile to Scottish institutions.