Swinney Seeks Cross-Party Ties Except with Reform UK

John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, announced on Saturday that his minority government will pursue cross-party cooperation at Holyrood with all major parties except Reform UK, following the SNP's victory as the largest party in the recent Scottish Parliament election.

Speaking at an SNP rally in Edinburgh, Swinney said he had written to the leaders of the Scottish Greens, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and Labour, urging them "to work openly and constructively with us in the national interest." He gave assurances that his government would operate on a basis of cross-party cooperation but emphasized, "We will have absolutely nothing to do with Reform UK. They have nothing to offer the people of Scotland. I fundamentally disagree with their values and many of those who have been elected to represent them have expressed reprehensible views." Swinney added that he had pledged during the campaign to "lock them out of influence in the Scottish Parliament and that is exactly what I will do."

The announcement came after Thursday's election results showed the SNP with 58 seats, down from 64 in 2021 and seven short of a majority. Reform UK...