Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has criticized Nigel Farage, labeling him an opportunist who lacks genuine commitment to unionism. This came after Farage called on Scottish nationalists to support his party, Reform, in the upcoming elections.
Earlier this week, Farage expressed that he believes “authentic nationalists” should not back the Scottish National Party’s efforts to re-enter the EU. He encouraged voters to choose Reform in the Holyrood elections scheduled for May 7.
During an interview with the Scotsman, Farage acknowledged his belief in the United Kingdom but suggested that holding a second independence referendum might be reasonable in the future if the issue arises again.
Speaking to the press in Edinburgh on Thursday, Badenoch asserted that only her party embodies true center-right and unionist values. She remarked, “Nigel Farage is primarily concerned with promoting himself. He shifts his stance based on his audience.” Badenoch criticized Farage for his inconsistent positions, noting, “When he speaks to unionists, he adopts a unionist perspective, and when addressing nationalists, he aligns with them. This adaptability is evident in how Reform voted both for and against the two-child benefit cap on the same day.”
She further characterized Reform as lacking a clear identity, stating, “They stand against everything associated with the establishment but fail to offer viable solutions.” The Conservative Party is currently engaged in a challenging effort to retain votes that might otherwise go to Reform in the upcoming election.
As the second-largest party in Holyrood, the Conservatives are facing a tough battle, as polls consistently show them trailing behind Labour, Reform, and the Scottish Greens, with support fluctuating between 8% and 13%, roughly on par with the Liberal Democrats.
Malcolm Offord, the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, has reinforced Badenoch’s claims by suggesting that his party’s role is primarily to disrupt the political landscape, as he indicated that Reform would not obstruct the Scottish National Party’s John Swinney from becoming first minister in a closely contested vote.
The SNP is anticipated to secure a significant victory in the election, with some polls indicating a possible majority. Swinney has already declared his intention to push for a second independence referendum by 2028, despite the UK Labour government’s refusal to permit this.
Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats are reportedly hoping that, post-election, they can form a coalition with enough support to elect Anas Sarwar as first minister, even if the SNP emerges as the largest party. However, if Reform UK manages to capture ten or more seats, as polls predict, their votes could become pivotal.
When questioned about collaborating with Labour to prevent the SNP from gaining power, Offord firmly stated, “No, because we are the challenger party.”
In a reflection of growing anti-SNP sentiments, several senior Conservatives are advocating for tactical voting to thwart the SNP’s success in Holyrood, despite Badenoch’s insistence that Conservative voters should consistently support her party. David Mundell, who served as Westminster’s Scottish secretary from 2015 to 2019, encouraged strategic voting in a social media post. He addressed the Commons, urging, “Anyone in Scotland who wishes to avoid a constitutional stalemate for the next five years should vote wisely to prevent an SNP majority.”
