Overview
- Reform UK’s Malcolm Offord alleged during Tuesday’s Channel 4 debate that Anas Sarwar sought cooperation to remove the SNP, which Sarwar rejected on air as “utter nonsense.”
- Following the exchange, Sarwar on Wednesday called Offord a liar and ruled out any deals with Reform, as SNP figures shared the clip to argue Labour would work with Nigel Farage’s party.
- The row followed Monday’s Labour manifesto launch in Edinburgh, where Sarwar put cutting NHS waiting lists first and pledged UK-wide referrals, 2,000 teachers, 1,500 classroom assistants, and tens of thousands of affordable homes.
- The Institute for Fiscal Studies described the plan as cautious on tax and spending but warned delivery could still need cuts, higher taxes, or big productivity gains within Scotland’s tight devolved budget.
- Polling reported across outlets shows the SNP well ahead with Labour fighting Reform UK for second, while John Swinney says a large SNP majority would strengthen his claim to seek a new independence referendum.