SNP will ‘shut the door’ on Reform, first minister says

John Swinney says he will “absolutely shut the door on” Reform, as he warned about other parties “flip-flopping” on climate action in response to the electoral challenge from the party.

Reiterating his government’s efforts to tackle climate change in a speech in Glasgow on Wednesday morning, the first minister called for people to “unite” to push forward the net zero agenda.

Acknowledging “ever-stronger push back” on net zero, he said the mobilisation of “the mainstream” was vital in tackling the problem, and he went on to link growing climate scepticism with the rise of the political right.

He highlighted comments made by Reform MP Richard Tice as an example of one of the voices pushing climate inaction.

In an interview with Sky, Tice said evidence that climate change is man-made was “garbage”, adding: “The climate changed for millions of years before man-made CO2.”

Swinney also expressed concern about the knock-on impact of Reform’s position on other political parties.

Speaking to journalists after his speech, he said: “What I worry about is that because of the pressure of Reform, other parties are prepared to kowtow to that.

“I won’t do it. I’ve made it clear, I’m going to absolutely shut the door on Reform ideas, their agenda, I’m just not interested.

“They are, as a consequence of their rise, motivating others to change tack.”

The first minister said the world needed to “actively prepare” for two degrees of warming, and that Scotland was “still not ready for the changed world that is fast approaching”.

He added that climate action was not only about costs and challenges, but “tangible benefits” needed to be made clear to people. “If we are to persuade people to accept the pain associated with some climate-friendly initiatives, then that must be matched and more by the gains that flow from others,” he said.

Swinney called on the UK Government to “stop treating Scotland as an afterthought” when it comes to climate change, in particular urging ministers to invest in Grangemouth for the development of sustainable aviation fuel or carbon capture and storage.