Reform UK would rather SNP were in charge at Holyrood than Labour, says Nigel Farage

REFORM UK would rather have the SNP in power at Holyrood next year than back Anas Sarwar’s Labour, Nigel Farage has said.  

Farage’s comments contradict his deputy Richard Tice, who said last November that “anything is preferable to the SNP”, as the Reform leader said there would be no deal with Sarwar after next year’s Holyrood election. 

Previously, it had been reported that Holyrood’s unionist parties would back Sarwar to become first minister over John Swinney, if Labour emerged the largest pro-UK party. 

However, according to the latest polling figures, there would be a huge pro-independence majority of 29 MSPs after next year's elections. 

The survey, conducted by Find Out Now for The National, predicted that the SNP would win 35% of the constituency share and 25% on the regional vote, while Scottish Labour came second with 15% on both, and Reform would win 12% of the constituency shar and 10% on the regional vote. 

It has been reported that privately senior Scottish Tories have signalled that if there were a choice between Sarwar and Swinney, they would back Labour. 

However, Farage said that any Reform MSPs would not endorse Sarwar under any circumstances.  

(Image: Jane Barlow)

Asked if Sarwar needed Reform votes to become first minister, Farage told the Times: “I’m not that worried about the SNP.  

“Yes, they’re going to have a resurgence.  

“Scotland is not going to leave the United Kingdom. It’s not going to happen in a month of Sundays. 

“We’re not doing a deal with Labour. No: we’re just not going to do it.” 

The Reform leader told The Times it was important his message was made clear before the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election to replace the late Christina McKelvie MSP in June. 

First Minister Swinney has already started campaigning ahead of the by-election as he joined local councillor Katy Loudon, the SNP's candidate, in Hamilton on Saturday, as he said voters can trust that "Katy will follow in Christina's footsteps as a local champion".

(Image: PA)

Reacting to Farage’s comments, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie has accused the SNP and Reform of being “two peas in a pod”. 

She said: “This comment from Nigel Farage tells you everything you need to know — a vote for Reform is a vote for the SNP. 

“The truth is that Reform and the SNP are two peas in a pod, both using the politics of grievance to stoke division and divide communities. Reform isn’t going to stand up to the SNP, they are going to help them back into power.”