Scottish voters were told that “only Labour can beat the SNP” by Sir Keir Starmer as Nigel Farage looks to make gains in an upcoming Scottish by-election.
The Prime Minister claimed that Nigel Farage is “Liz Truss 2.0” and that Reform has a “pro-Russia foreign policy”.
However, recent opinion polls are suggesting that Reform and the SNP are the strongest parties heading into the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
A recent Norstat poll indicates that Labour’s popularity in Scotland has plummeted to 19 per cent, down from 27 per cent in November last year, whilst the Scottish National Party has maintained a comfortable 14-point lead at 33 per cent. Meanwhile, Reform is just a point behind Labour at 18 per cent.
The survey also demonstrated strong support for Scottish independence, with 54 per cent of participants indicating that they were pro-independence, further shoring up SNP support.
On the campaign trail, First Minister John Swinney hit out at Reform, claiming that “Farage doesn’t care about Scotland”.
Keir Starmer claimed that Nigel Farage is 'Liz Truss 2.0' and that Reform has a 'pro-Russia foreign policy'
PA
Speaking to GB News today, the Reform leader claimed that comments against him were “ridiculous”.
He said: “To say that I don’t care about Scotland, it’s like saying I don’t care about Northumberland, or I don’t care about Wales; they are just ridiculous comments.
“What we are seeing, I think, are mistakes being made by other leaders. They are lashing out at me, left, right and centre, because they are scared. And they are scared because the Reform vote is on the rise, and they’re scared because we are prepared to take on the failed consensus.”
Swinney warned of the potential threat from Reform, saying: “Things remain tough for too many families who feel let down by Labour – who have given up in this campaign – and the deeply concerning rise in support for Farage.
First Minister John Swinney hit out at Reform, claiming that 'Farage doesn’t care about Scotland'
PA
“Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn’t care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that.
“In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland’s future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage.”
Farage was in Scotland today to support Reform’s efforts to gain a foothold in Scotland.
Speaking in Aberdeen this morning, the Reform leader claimed that Scotland was “de-industrialising in front of our very eyes”.
In what seemed to be a two-horse race between Labour and the SNP in this by-election, Reform has surged as the main opponent of the SNP, after disaffection with Labour in Scotland has grown.
Despite this, Labour continues to the attack the SNP’s record of Government in Holyrood and Reform’s seriousness as a political party.
This morning, Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar referred to the Reform leader as “the chief clown”.
He said: “Today the chief clown Nigel Farage finally found his way to Scotland and showed just how totally out of touch with our country he is.
“Nigel Farage turned up, admitted he can’t win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election and pledged to cut funding for Scotland’s NHS and public services.”
Nigel Farage claimed that comments against him on the campaign trail were 'ridiculous'
PA
This comes as Farage hinted that he would scrap the Scottish Parliament’s funding mechanism if he won power in Westminster.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity of speaking in Glasgow for the Strategic Defence Review to go on the attack against the SNP’s stance on Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
He said: “The SNP’s position is to get rid of our nuclear deterrent. The single most important part of our capability that has kept Scotland and the United Kingdom safe for many many years.”
“And at this moment, they renew their pledge to get rid our nuclear deterrent. Imagine the effect that would have on the safety and security of the United Kingdom and of Scotland.”
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