John Swinney accused of using ‘new bogeyman’ Nigel Farage as ‘distraction’ amid Scottish Election countdown
John Swinney, leader of the SNP, has been accused of getting distracted by “new bogeyman” Nigel Farage to divert attention from his party’s shortcomings in government.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar took aim at John Swinney as Scotland heads to the polls exactly one year from today, on May 7, 2026, to vote in the next Scottish General Election, which will determine the new government that will lead the country into the 2030s.
John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Russell Findlay and Alex Cole-Hamilton all took to the podium at events in Glasgow and Edinburgh to commemorate the 12 month countdown to the election.
Sarwar told a crowd in Glasgow: “Instead of dealing with its own failures, John Swinney will recklessly talk up Nigel Farage.
John Swinney, leader of the SNP, has been accused of getting distracted by “new bogeyman” Nigel Farage to divert attention from his party’s shortcomings in government
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“Farage is John Swinney’s new power to replace the Tories but, the truth is, I don’t care about Nigel Farage, and Nigel Farage doesn’t care about Scotland.”
He added: “John Swinney will talk about anything apart from his record.
“Well, I want to deliver for the people of Scotland and with his shameful tactics, John wants to defraud the people of Scotland, but the people of Scotland know better.”
At another event in Edinburgh this morning, Swinney said it is “huge privilege” to be First Minister, but accepted that his ascension to the top job in Scottish politics “was not part of a well-crafted plan”.
Appearing onstage alongside him were scores of SNP candidates confirmed as standing in next year’s election, many brandishing the party’s 2026 election slogan: “On Scotland’s Side”.
He said: “Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have opened the door to Farage because they have failed to stop and up to him.
“Farage may not be in office – but he’s very much in charge.”
Swinney also paid tribute to the former culture minister Christina McKelvie, who lost her battle with cancer in March.
The Scottish election may be 12 months away but the by-election for the Hamilton, Stonehouse and Larkhall seat on June 5 will be a litmus test of the public’s assessment of four years of shifting political dynamics.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar took aim at John Swinney as Scotland heads to the polls exactly one year from today, on May 7, 2026, to vote in the next Scottish General Election
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The SNP is hoping that resolutions from Operation Branchform will prevent public trust from eroding beyond repair.
Meanwhile, Labour’s rapid ascent in the 2024 election has been undercut by a sharp decline in public support following unpopular decisions by Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer, the Scottish Greens have embraced increasingly unrestrained gender policies, and uncertainty continues to loom over the future of the Tory vote, echoing concerns from south of the border.
All while Reform UK are off the back of taking control of ten English councils from a standing start.
Upon seeing the SNP candidate list for 2026,Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP can unveil some different faces after scores of their MSP’s deserted John Swinney, but the truth is that all they’re offering is more of the same.
“Some of their candidates aren’t even that different – with several set to be former MPs who were rejected by Scots less than a year ago.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton thinks the SNP “has let Scotland down” over the last two decades.
John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Russell Findlay and Alex Cole-Hamilton all took to the podium at events in Glasgow and Edinburgh to commemorate the 12 month countdown to the election
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Visiting a local business in Edinburgh, he said: “The SNP have been in charge for eighteen years and our health service, economy and education are all on their knees. They have let Scotland down.
“When people look around at some of the alternatives, they feel frustrated. Labour were elected promising change, but they have clobbered small businesses and care providers with a cruel jobs tax. The Conservatives are lurching to extremes and abandoning the centre ground.”
While Scottish Conservative Party leader, Findlay promises “common sense for a change” as he leads the Scottish Conservatives into next year’s devolved election.
In recent days he also took aim at Swinney as the First Minister revealed his accelerated programme for government, which abolishes peak rail fares and promises 100,000 more NHS appointments.
Circling the SNP’s favourite constitutional question, he accused the First Minister of flushing more public money to pursue the case for independence.
“He’s not going to find one because there isn’t one,” Findlay retorted.