By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney on Wednesday called on “mainstream Scotland” to unite against what he described as the “racist” and “far-right” politics of Reform UK.
Speaking at a news conference in Edinburgh, Swinney condemned the views of the party, led by Nigel Farage, especially on issues of immigration, and criticized Farage's stance on Russia as “apologetic.”
Swinney described the rise of Reform UK as a significant threat to Scottish values and democratic principles. He urged the public to come together around the core values of “decency, democracy, and respect” to counter this growing influence.
"The threat from the far-right is real, but that leaves me all the more convinced that working together is not only the right choice, but the only choice," Swinney said. "More unites us than divides us. Now is the moment to make that real by uniting behind shared values."
He pointed to Farage’s long-standing opposition to immigration and his views on migration, which he said were rooted in a “fundamentally racist view of the world.”
He added: “I reject that. I think migration is an advantage for Scotland.” Swinney further accused Farage of being an “accomplice” to Russia’s actions, criticizing his failure to address the Russian threat with the seriousness it deserves.
Swinney urged those considering voting for Reform UK to reconsider their support, emphasizing that the party's politics did not align with the values of fairness and decency that many Scots cherish.
"I'm simply making the point today that it’s important that those of us who are repulsed by the politics of Farage and the far-right come together," he said.
Swinney’s comments also extended to the broader political landscape, with a sharp rebuke of the UK government’s recent decision to reduce foreign aid in favor of increasing defense spending.
While acknowledging the importance of bolstering defense in the face of global threats, he argued that slashing international aid was a shortsighted approach that would ultimately exacerbate global inequality.
“International aid is about addressing fundamental issues of inequality within our world,” he said. “If we do not address these issues, they will come back to be a challenge and a difficulty for us.”