SNP Plans Summit to Counter Reform UK’s Rise in Scotland

First Minister John Swinney defends initiative against criticism from Reform UK as political leaders address far-right concerns.

First Minister John Swinney announced a cross-party summit in April to address the rise of far-right politics, explicitly targeting Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Reform UK, polling strongly for the 2026 Holyrood elections, criticized the summit as a misuse of taxpayer funds and accused the SNP of political fear-mongering.
Swinney described Farage as an 'apologist for the Russian agenda' and accused him of promoting 'a fundamentally racist view of the world,' claims Farage has denied.
Reform UK leaders argued that the summit breaches civil service impartiality rules and called for an invitation to participate, citing their growing support in Scotland.
Labour expressed tentative support for the summit while awaiting further details, and the Scottish Conservatives have declined to participate.