What's happened
Reform UK is experiencing significant growth in Scotland, with recent polling indicating potential to influence the 2026 Holyrood elections. The party's rise is attributed to disillusionment with traditional parties, particularly the SNP and Labour, as they struggle with public service failures and broken promises.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, expressed optimism about the party's momentum, stating they could become the third largest party in Holyrood. Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice noted that Reform UK's support is diverse, drawing from both Labour and Conservative voters, while the SNP struggles to maintain its base. Meanwhile, The Scotsman highlighted the SNP's appointment of Angus Robertson to lead its campaign, emphasizing the party's need to rebuild trust amid declining support. The contrasting perspectives illustrate the shifting dynamics in Scottish politics as Reform UK gains traction.
How we got here
Following the 2024 general election, where Reform UK secured 7% of the vote, the party's influence in Scotland has grown. Polling suggests it could secure multiple seats in the upcoming Holyrood elections, challenging the dominance of the SNP and Labour.
More on these topics
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
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Reform UK is a populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded as The Brexit Party with a focus on Euroscepticism in November 2018, until being renamed on 6 January 2021.
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.