John Swinney rules out Holyrood talks with Reform UK
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 9
John Swinney rules out Holyrood talks with Reform UK
6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 9
After the SNP won a fifth straight Holyrood election but fell seven seats short of a majority, Swinney said in Edinburgh he would invite every other party leader to talks next week.
Labour and Reform won 17 seats each, ahead of the Greens on 15, Conservatives on 12 and Liberal Democrats on 10, leaving the SNP needing support to reinstall Swinney and pass laws.
Swinney said excluding Reform would help “Farage-proof” Scotland and support independence ambitions, while Reform, Conservatives and Lib Dems rejected his claim of a mandate for a 2028 referendum.
Now Holyrood's second-largest party, how will Reform UK's exclusion from government talks reshape Scottish politics?
With a shrinking mandate and divided polls, can the SNP's 'Farage-proof' strategy actually secure Scottish independence?
As Scots prioritize the economy over the constitution, can a fractured Holyrood fix failing public services?
2026 Scottish Parliament Election: SNP Minority, Reform UK Surge, and the Fallout from Swinney’s Exclusion
Overview
The 2026 Scottish Parliament election marked a dramatic shift in Scotland’s political landscape. The SNP, led by John Swinney, claimed a fifth consecutive term but lost its majority, while Reform UK made a historic breakthrough by winning 17 seats and tying with Labour for second place. Despite Reform UK's significant gains, Swinney made a clear decision to exclude them from post-election talks, setting strict boundaries for cooperation. This move highlighted deep divisions within Holyrood, as the SNP now leads a minority government facing a fragmented opposition and heightened polarization, making future governance and consensus-building more challenging.