REFORM UK have attacked Scotland's "political class" ahead of the anti-far-right summit called by John Swinney, from which they have been excluded.
The First Minister will chair a meeting in Glasgow on Wednesday morning aimed at uniting Scotland's political parties and civic society against the “real threat” of the far-right.
He has invited political parties represented at Holyrood, faith leaders, and community groups to the event discussing the rise of the far-right, in which he includes Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said he will not attend the event, describing it as a “talking shop”.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who will be attending, hit out at the event and accused the SNP of helping to "fan the flames of divisive politics".
Ahead of Wednesday's meeting, Reform UK Scotland issued a statement claiming that they offered a voice to those who had been ignored by the "political class".
Trying to paint themselves as anti-elitist – a common trope from hard-right figures such as Farage allies Donald Trump and Elon Musk – Reform said: "The divisions we see today did not appear overnight. They are the natural consequence of years – even decades – of public policy failure, democratic distance, and political evasion.
"This is not a problem caused by the public. It is a problem caused by those who have held office but not held themselves to account."
It went on: “The working man, the struggling family, the pensioner who paid in their whole life — they look at the political class and ask: Who is speaking for us?
“Too often, the answer has been: No one.
“That is not division. That is disenchantment. It is not anger for anger's sake – it is the quiet despair of a people who have been let down.”
Again trying to paint themselves as representing the people against the political class, Reform added: "Let this be the time for mature minds, steady hands, and a renewal of public duty.
"Only then can we begin to heal the divide between the governed and those who would govern in their name."
Roz Foyer, who as general secretary of the STUC represents more than 500,000 Scots trade unionists, said it is crucial that political leaders deliver action to avoid boosting the Reform narrative.
“We cannot be complacent. This summit must not just be a business-as-usual gathering of groups who, no doubt, mean well but aren’t prepared to roll their sleeves up and tackle head on the threat we are facing,” Foyer warned.
“All of us, trade unions included, need to be ready to have hard conversations about how we got here and be ready to work on solutions that build unity.
“The far right are feeding like vultures off the alienation and desperation many feel within our communities. Legitimate fears and concerns on the economic precarity and insecurity many working-class people feel are being twisted into false and hateful narratives that must be countered.”
She went on: “We know that centrist policies that prioritise the economic status quo have played a critical role in the rise of the far right.
“The lack of optimism for the future, with unaffordable energy bills, skyrocketing food prices and housing costs still stupidly expensive, means workers are searching for hope where none yet exists within mainstream politicians. They must wake up and realise the lack of vision and hope coming from mainstream parties has pushed working people – out of frustration and desperation – to the political fringes.”
