In the wake of the 2026 Holyrood elections, SNP leader John Swinney has officially ruled out any cooperation with Reform UK, pledging to interact with the party only where legally mandated.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This move comes after Reform UK’s seismic performance, where they secured 17 seats—tying with Scottish Labour for second place—and fundamentally shifted the balance of power in Edinburgh.
“Farage-Proofing” Holyrood
Swinney’s refusal to negotiate is rooted in what he describes as an “existential threat” to the Scottish Parliament:
- Protecting Devolution: Swinney maintains that Reform’s ultimate goal is the dismantling of Holyrood, framing their presence as an “acute threat to self-government.”
- A Call for Independence: The First Minister argued that the rise of Reform makes the case for a second independence referendum a necessity to “Farage-proof” Scotland’s future.
- The Opposition’s Response: Reform leader Malcolm Offord has condemned the SNP’s stance, labeling the refusal to engage with the second-largest voting bloc as “arrogant, petty, and deeply undemocratic.”
The New Power Balance
With no party holding a majority, Swinney must navigate a volatile minority government:
| Party | Seats | Status |
| SNP | 58 | Leading Minority |
| Scottish Labour | 17 | Joint Opposition |
| Reform UK | 17 | Joint Opposition |
| Scottish Greens | 15 | Key Legislative Partners |
| Conservatives | 12 | Diminished Presence |
| Lib Dems | 10 | Traditional Swing Vote |
Looking Toward a “Celtic Alliance”
Instead of building bridges within Holyrood, Swinney is looking to Northern Ireland and Wales to create a “Nationalist Alliance.”
By partnering with Michelle O’Neill (Sinn Féin) and Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru), Swinney intends to bypass Reform UK’s influence and present a united Celtic front against Keir Starmer’s policies in Westminster—specifically targeting UK-wide welfare and market regulations.
