Unionist or conservative roles are more important now, Scottish Tory leader says

Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said being a conservative and a unionist is especially important ahead of the May Holyrood election and criticised Reform UK and Nigel Farage; Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said a referendum would not be held even if the SNP wins a majority.

Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said that being a conservative and a unionist is more important now as voters prepare for the Holyrood election in May. He spoke to the Press Association and criticised Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage's commitment to the union. The next Holyrood election is about five months away. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said a referendum would not be held even if the SNP won a majority. Key points: - Russell Findlay said the combination of conservatism and unionism is especially important ahead of the May Holyrood election. - Findlay accused Nigel Farage of not caring about the union and said Reform UK fielded pro-independence candidates in the general election. - Findlay referred to claims by independent MSP Ash Regan that Farage attempted to bring her into Reform UK; Reform UK described the claim as "categorically not true." - The Scottish Conservatives have seen their fortunes fall since the 2024 UK election, while Reform UK has surged in opinion polls and is forecast to gain seats at Holyrood. - Chancellor Rachel Reeves said a referendum would not be held even if the SNP won a majority. Summary: The leader of the Scottish Conservatives framed the coming Holyrood election as a moment for unionist and conservative identity and criticised Reform UK’s stance and actions. The party is positioning itself amid a recent decline in support and a rise in Reform UK’s polling. The election is in May and how these dynamics will affect outcomes is undetermined at this time.