Swinney warns of ‘serious threats’ to democracy at summit to counter far-right

John Swinney has warned of “serious threats” to democracy and Scotland’s values as he staged a special summit to counter the rise of far-right politics.

The First Minister convened a gathering of more than 50 leaders from political parties, civic society, faith communities, and the trade union movement.

The meeting in Glasgow saw those present sign a “mission statement” aimed at “strengthening and protecting democracy in Scotland”.

It highlighted their concerns that much of the political debate has “become polarised and soured”.

But as they met, protesters – including supporters of Reform UK, which was not invited to the talks – gathered outside the summit.

Demonstrators wore T-shirts saying “not far-right”, with some holding up banners branding Mr Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar as “democracy deniers”.

The talks come as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has seen its support rise in Scotland, with polls suggesting the party could be on course to return its first ever group of MSPs to Holyrood in next May’s election.

Asked if this will mean the talks had failed, Mr Swinney told journalists afterwards: “The electorate will vote for who they choose to vote for, that is a matter for the electorate and we have to deal with the consequences of that.”

The First Minister stressed there are “serious threats to our democratic system and our values in Scotland”.

He added: “I want to do everything I can to make sure I can look back with all honesty that I have done everything I can to bring people together to face the threats we are facing.

“I think they are acute, they are very real.”

Mr Sarwar said people “tempted” by Reform UK are not necessarily “naturally politically inclined” towards Mr Farage.

Instead he said people are turning to the likes of Reform because they are disillusioned with other parties.

Mr Sarwar said: “I think many people are going towards that direction, to put it in a crude sense, as an ‘FU’ vote because they are so scunnered with institutions, political parties, with governments.”

Mr Swinney meanwhile stressed the need to engage more with voters on issues that matter to them, pledging the Scottish Government will “help advance this dialogue”.

He also insisted: “This is the start of a process, it is not the end of a process, and the Government will work with others to facilitate discussion on advancing this agenda within Scotland.”

The First Minister said it was a “matter of regret” that Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay had declined to attend Wednesday’s summit, after he branded the event a “talking shop”.

The SNP leader added he had sought “in good faith” to “bring together a very broad cross-section of Scottish opinion, to reach out to our communities, to engage our communities”.

He went on to say he had done so because in years to come he does not want to find himself “regretting” not taking a stand “on the threats that we face”.

Roz Foyer, the general secretary of the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, said the summit had been about “recognising that here in Scotland we have a problem, and we have a deep problem, it is a threat to our democracy”.

She said: “We are seeing rising attacks on vulnerable groups, we are seeing a rising amount of extreme right-wing ideology that is influencing our communities.

“We are seeing a situation that is a real threat to our society and could end in a very, very dark place.”

She added it is important leaders had acknowledged “something is wrong and people are feeling deeply disenfranchised”.

But Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr, who defected from the Tories, said outside the summit venue: “What’s going on in this building behind us, though, is an affront to democracy.

“The First Minister is using taxpayers’ cash to have a summit against a political opponent that he doesn’t like. I think that’s an absolute disgrace.”

Mr Kerr said those attending the summit are “absolutely petrified” of the rise in support for Reform UK.

He added: “I don’t blame John Swinney for being terrified. If I was him, I would be as well.”