Opposition Eyes Backing Sarwar to Block SNP Majority

As the campaign for the Scottish Parliament elections intensifies ahead of the May 7 vote, opposition leaders from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have indicated they would consider post-election support for Anas Sarwar to become first minister, provided it prevents the Scottish National Party from retaining power. All three parties have emphasized that no formal alliances or deals exist entering the contest, with a recent Survation poll projecting the SNP to secure 62 seats, short of the 65 needed for a majority, alongside gains for Reform UK at 19 seats, Labour at 18, the Conservatives at 13, the Greens at 10 and the Liberal Democrats at 7.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, speaking at a parent and toddler group in South Lanarkshire, firmly rejected any potential partnership with Reform UK, dismissing SNP suggestions of a post-election arrangement as unfounded. "No pacts, no deals, no grubby coalitions," Sarwar said, adding that the election represents a direct choice between him and SNP leader John Swinney for first minister. He accused Swinney of shifting from overconfidence to desperation after the campaign's launch, noting the SNP's initial claims of...