John Swinney Calls for Summit to Counter Reform UK’s Far-Right Influence in Scotland

The Scottish First Minister accuses Nigel Farage of promoting racism and aligning with Russian interests while urging political and civic leaders to unite against far-right politics.

• Scottish First Minister John Swinney announced plans for an April summit to address the rise of far-right politics, specifically targeting Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
• Swinney accused Farage of being an 'accomplice to the Russian agenda' and promoting a 'fundamentally racist view of the world.'
• The summit aims to bring together political leaders, trade unions, churches, and charities to promote unity and reject far-right ideologies.
• Critics, including Reform UK, accused Swinney of using the summit to distract from the SNP's governance issues, with some warning the move could inadvertently boost Reform UK's visibility.
• Polls suggest Reform UK is gaining traction in Scotland, potentially winning 15 seats in the 2026 Holyrood election, sparking concerns among mainstream parties.

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