COLIN BEATTIE MSP: WHICH OF FARAGE’S ‘GOOD IDEAS’ IS ANAS SARWAR OPEN TO?

Colin Beattie MSP has challenged Anas Sarwar to clarify “which of Farage’s backward and damaging ideas” he is open to after the leader of Labour in Scotland refused to rule out relying on votes for Reform MSPs after the 2026 Holyrood election.

This follows a Scottish Parliament poll which showed they could win as many as 9 MSPs in 2026, with Reform UK now ahead of the Labour Party in recent polls.

Their policies include privatisation of the NHS, backing Brexit, tax cuts for the wealthy and abolishing devolution. While Mr Sarwar appears open to such ideas, he has refused to back the SNP’s Budget which provides record funding for our NHS, scraps the two-child cap and reverses Labour’s Winter Fuel Payment cut.

Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP:
“People across Midlothian North and Musselburgh will rightly be alarmed that Anas Sarwar is so desperate for power that he’s willing to leave the door open to Nigel Farage. 
 
“Farage's values are a threat to Midlothian North and Musselburgh and it’s crucial we fight their toxic agenda rather than accepting it. Mr Sarwar should now tell us what 'good ideas' he thinks Nigel Farage has for Scotland.
 
“Rest assured the SNP under John Swinney’s leadership will always stand up for Scotland’s values and Midlothian North and Musselburgh’s priorities, fighting Nigel Farage's agenda every step of the way.”
 
ENDS