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NIGEL FARAGE IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ABERDEEN TODAY 12:06, 02 Jun 2025 SNP leader John Swinney has accused Nigel Farage of not caring about Scotland as the Reform UK

leader prepares to visit Aberdeen. Mr Farage will speak at a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday, with the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election nearing its conclusion. The SNP

and Labour were initially viewed as the main contenders for the seat vacated by former Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, but Reform UK has now emerged as a contender. Reform

UK's campaign tactics have drawn criticism, particularly for attack adverts aimed at Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, which have been condemned as racist. Both parties have also

directed attacks at Reform, with Mr Sarwar labelling Mr Farage "a poisonous little man" and the First Minister accusing him of introducing "racism and hatred" into the

South Lanarkshire contest. With the by-election campaign in its final stretch, SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister Mr Swinney has raised concerns about Reform's growing

support. He said: "Things remain tough for too many families who feel let down by Labour – who have given up in this campaign – and the deeply concerning rise in support for Farage.

"Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn't care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. Article continues below "In this

by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland's future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage." Mr Swinney praised his

own Government's achievements, including free prescriptions, free tuition and free bus travel for the young and elderly, as well as plans to abolish peak rail fares and alleviate the

two-child benefit cap. "On the final week of campaigning in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, it's clear which party is on Scotland's side," he said. _For our free daily

briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation,__ sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here_. His remarks come as Stephen Flynn, his party's Westminster leader, claimed that Mr

Farage poses just as much a threat to Scotland's long-term energy and economic future as those activists who would shut down the oil and gas industry immediately. Mr Farage has

consistently opposed net zero, while his deputy Richard Tice told the PA news agency that one of their key policies for the upcoming Holyrood elections next year would be to advocate for

increased oil extraction. A spokesperson for Reform UK said: "The SNP's hostile environment to oil and gas has been holding Scotland back for decades. Article continues below

"From standing idly by whilst the Grangemouth refinery closed, to opposing oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, the SNP have not only failed to realise the countless jobs that

could be created in the sector, but also sacrificed hundreds of jobs on the altar of their net zero obsession." Last week, Reform won their first Carmarthenshire councillor in a

by-election. Candidate Michelle Beer will represent Llanelli's Lliedi ward after winning 568 votes, to Labour's 312 votes.