John Swinney warns Scots not to 'sit back' and presume far-right cannot rise (2025)

EXCLUSIVE: The First Minister has spoken out against those taking advantage of "fear and anxiety" in society caused by a cost-of-living crisis

John Swinney has warned Scots not to "sit back" and presume far-right politics cannot take hold in this country.

Writing in his first column for the Daily Record, the First Minister spoke out against those taking advantage of "fear and anxiety" in society caused by a cost-of-living crisis which has led to an "unprecedented squeeze on living standards".

It comes as the SNP party leader prepares to host a cross-party summit in Glasgow this week which will see political and civic leaders gather to discuss how to tackle the rise of far-right populism.

Since landing the top job in Scottish politics one year ago, Swinney has repeatedly hit out at Reform UK - a party which has denied it is far right - and its leader Nigel Farage.

Current polls suggest the party - which currently has no MSPs or a Scottish leader - could make a significant breakthrough at next year's Holyrood election.

"It’s not hard to see why, for many, the future doesn’t currently feel so bright," the SNP leader writes in is column for the Record.

"We have been living through a global pandemic and are experiencing an unprecedented squeeze on living standards. It feels like society is becoming ever more polarised, and the world around us ever more uncertain.

"There have always been those who seek to exploit such fear and anxiety to sow hatred, to demonise minority groups, to spread disinformation and even undermine democracy itself.

"None of this anxiety is unique to Scotland. The far right is on the rise across the West - we must not sit back and assume it cannot happen here."

Swinney said he hoped to work with other political leaders at the summit to "strengthen our democratic society".

He added: "How do we - together - combat inequality and discrimination? How can we tackle disinformation? How do we enhance trust in politics and increase accountability? And how do we improve participation in democracy?

"This gathering is the start of an ongoing discussion and I hope it marks a turning point.

"It is about us collectively making a stand, reminding ourselves of who we are, and reaffirming that there is far more that unites us than divides us.

"If we don’t act now to protect our democracy, and our shared values, then I think we will regret that in the years to come. That’s why I will be bringing people together in Glasgow this week."

Russell Findlay, the Scots Tory leader, last week said he would not attend an "anti-right wing" summit being held by the First Minister.

He claimed the event was "not required" and accused Swinney of using the meeting to "deflect from the SNP's dismal record".

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