Reform MSP Criticizes Other Parties for Ruling Out Cooperation

The SNP, Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens and Labour have stated they will not seek to cooperate with Reform UK Scotland after the party gained seats in last week's election. SNP leader John Swinney has invited the leaders of those parties to talks as he seeks to form a new government but has said he would not invite the Reform UK Scotland leader.

Helen McDade, elected to represent Mid Scotland and Fife, said the election result showed voters wanted parties to work together and that Reform UK was open to doing so. "Obviously, many of our aims may not align but many of our aims should be aligning – making Scotland better, getting our economy back on track, balancing private sector enterprise with the public sector," she told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast.

"We live in a democracy and people have voted," McDade added. She described the stance of the other parties as "childish" and urged their leaders to stop "posturing". McDade also said other parties had made negative comments about Reform UK politicians that could increase risks to them in public.

It remains to be seen to what extent other parties will refuse to cooperate with Reform UK, which is set to have a prominent role in committees and at events such as First Minister's Questions. A former SNP cabinet minister said the SNP leader had been clear during the campaign that the party would have nothing to do with Reform UK's politics.

The former minister accused Reform UK of peddling "hatred and division" and said the party's rhetoric had put ethnic minorities at risk. She added that some people who voted for Reform UK had done so out of anger and fear. She said it was important for Scotland's first minister to engage with world leaders.

They will be officially sworn in on Thursday, with the selection of a first minister and cabinet expected next week. The SNP won a fifth successive Scottish election, returning 58 MSPs. Reform UK and Labour tied for second place with 17 MSPs each, followed by the Greens on 15, the Conservatives on 12 and the Liberal Democrats on 10.