Swinney under fire for focus on Reform in 'disastrous' poll

Scottish National party activists and senior figures have vented their frustrations at their leader, John Swinney, after the "disastrous" byelection loss of a Holyrood seat to Scottish Labour.

- Libby Brooks

The party was accused of running a "panicked" campaign some believe pushed more voters towards Reform UK at the 5 June poll in the pivotal Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

SNP members criticised the result at branch meetings, and Swinney is expected to face robust questioning at the SNP's national executive committee meeting on Sunday.

Central to members' concerns was the key campaign message that the byelection was a two-horse race between the SNP and Reform, which has been gaining ground in Scotland since last year's general election.

That was coupled with the party's failure to promote independence as an alternative to the rightwing populist party's divisive rhetoric.