Nigel Farage visits Edinburgh as Reform UK support slides in Scotland
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage travelled to Edinburgh to meet Malcolm Offord, while two recent polls show the party’s backing falling sharply in Scotland.
On Monday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrived in Edinburgh for a meeting with Malcolm Offord and his advisers, declaring that Scotland needs Reform. The trip coincides with two new MRP polls indicating a steep decline in the party’s Scottish support. More in Common’s latest survey suggests Reform would secure only one seat in a hypothetical election, down from six in its July poll, while a YouGov model forecasts two seats - Central Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire North and Moray East - currently held by Labour and the SNP respectively.
SNP MSP David Linden rebuked Farage, claiming Westminster politicians are indifferent to Scotland and only interested in its energy assets. He linked the visit to broader calls for Scottish independence as a way to escape Farage’s influence. The contrasting poll results highlight the volatility of Reform’s standing in the region.
Why it matters
The story shows how a high-profile party leader’s outreach is being undermined by falling poll numbers in a key UK region.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Richard Tice condemns Chinese imports while Reform UK merch made in China is on sale
- Sep 4 National Rally leader Jordan Bardella delivered an English speech at Reform UK’s gathering, emphasizing tighter ties with the British party and joint immigration control.
- Sep 4 Reform UK invited Bardella to speak at its Birmingham conference.
- Sep 6 West Midlands Police have issued a call for the protester to come forward to assist their inquiry.
- Sep 7 The memorandum was signed, moving the idea from conference discussion to a formal agreement.
- Sep 18 Liberal Democrat members say the party has stalled since its 2024 election surge and aim to adopt a more aggressive tone at this weekend’s conference.
- Sep 27 The party has moved from internal frustration to publicly unveiling a health‑and‑economy platform at its conference.
- Sep 28 Lee Anderson announced a “whip round” to raise funds for the woman struck with a walking stick.
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