Independence will lock Nigel Farage out of politics, John Swinney claims on first day of campaign

Independence would lock Nigel Farage out of Scottish politics, John Swinney has said as he launched his party’s election campaign.

The SNP leader told a room of supporters in Glasgow that winning a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament would deliver independence, which would both deliver “transformational change” and prevent the Reform leader from having any sway in Holyrood.

Thursday is the first day of the election campaign following the last session of parliament on Wednesday.

Scottish Labour also launched its campaign in Glasgow, with leader Anas Sarwar promising to deliver a “more positive and hopeful future”.

The Scottish Tories, Greens and Liberal Democrats launched their campaigns in Edinburgh.

Swinney told supporters Scotland was “on the verge of a truly historic moment”, arguing an independence referendum would be possible if he leads a majority government in May.

He warned that if the SNP fail to get to that milestone, there was “always the potential for a grubby, backroom deal between Labour and Reform”.

Sarwar has previously ruled out doing any deal with Farage’s party, though Swinney pointed to Fife Council where three Reform councillors did back the Labour administration’s budget deal.

Swinney said Reform are “spreading division and hatred in society” and pledged to “confront it face on”.

He said: “We will take them on, we will defeat them, we will make sure Nigel Farage is locked out of power and we will make sure Scotland’s future is in Scotland’s hands.”

He also criticised the UK Government and warned a Scottish Labour government would be no better. He said: “Keir Starmer promised the world two years ago and they have not even tried to keep their promises… We already have one disastrous Labour government, we do not need another.”

On the question of Westminster potentially blocking a referendum taking place even if the SNP does win a majority, he said: “We need to get the mandate that triggers the moment that we could apply the pressure to Westminster to allow Scotland to decide our own future. Westminster cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the democratic right of the people of Scotland to choose their own future… It was accepted in 2011; it should be accepted in 2026 when we win a majority.”

Elsewhere in Glasgow, Sarwar used his speech to criticise the SNP’s record in government and argued that “only Scottish Labour can beat” them.

He went on to unveil plans to recruit 2,000 specialist teachers to support children falling behind in literacy and numeracy.

He said: “Our young people are Scotland’s future. They need a new government that is ambitious for them. After years of SNP failure, too many children are being denied the foundation they need to get on in life.”

Over in Edinburgh, the Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed his party could prevent an SNP majority by winning ten constituencies.

He said: “In many constituencies like Edinburgh Northern, we are on the verge of winning against the SNP. Our victories can deny them the parliamentary majority that John Swinney craves. Equally importantly, wherever you are, every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach ballot will deliver MSPs committed to delivering change with fairness at its heart.”

The Scottish Greens said Scotland was being “being held back” by both Labour and the SNP.

Co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “Scotland can have a great future, but we are being held back by a tired, broken and incompetent Labour government and an SNP who won’t take the action that is needed.”

The Tories will launch their campaign this afternoon.