A growing number of Scots have an unfavourable view of Reform UK, according to a new poll which is a “warning sign” for Nigel Farage.
The poll was published just hours before Farage and Offord are due to speak at a party conference in Renfrewshire, where they will unveil the 73 candidates standing for Reform at the Holyrood election in May.
The survey found John Swinney is the best rated of the party leaders – with a clear lead over Anas Sarwar and Offord on most key leadership traits. But public sentiment is more negative than positive towards all the Scottish party leaders.
Veteran activist Sean Clerkin held a brief protest outside the Reform conference venue where he accused the party of being “fascists” before he was quickly escorted off the premises.
Nigel Farage will address a Reform UK in Scotland (Image: Mark Thomas/Shutterstock)
Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos Scotland, said: “Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election campaigns starting next week, our latest Scottish Political Pulse suggests a widespread lack of enthusiasm among the public towards both political leaders and parties.
“That said, the findings are more encouraging for the SNP than for any other party, with John Swinney the highest-rated party leader and slight improvements in the public’s views of their performance in government on living standards and managing the economy.
“Meanwhile there are warning signs for Reform UK, with falls in both the party’s and UK leader Nigel Farage’s favourability ratings, and their Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, emerging as the worst rated of the Scottish party leaders.”
