THE LEGACY PARTIES that have long dominated UK and Scottish politics have relied on a tried-and-tested formula: handing out pitchforks to their voters.
The SNP offers pitchforks against Westminster, framing every problem as “London’s fault.” The Greens and Labour zealously wield their pitchforks against farmers, industrial workers, and even residential energy users – all in the name of Net Zero. Their policies lead to soaring energy costs and the refusal to harness the UK’s abundant natural resources, including North Sea oil, gas, and onshore energy deposits.
The Conservatives, while posturing as the SNP’s strongest opponents, have often themselves adopted a soft SNP stance in Scotland, offering little distinction in policy. And let’s not forget the Liberal Democrats, who – like all the legacy parties – have made Brexit their bogeyman, blaming it for every economic woe while ignoring deeper structural issues.
Yet, over 1 million Scots voted for Brexit – more than who voted SNP in 2019. These voters have been left politically homeless, with all five Holyrood parties opposing Brexit and continuing to advocate for the softest Brexit in name only, or even its reversal. For these Scots, Reform UK is the only party willing to represent their voice.
The Scottish Conservatives, in particular, missed an opportunity here. By standing firm in support of Brexit and offering a real alternative to the other parties, they could have capitalized on this significant voter base. Instead, their “soft SNP” stance and unwillingness to challenge the Holyrood consensus have alienated these voters further, leaving Reform UK to fill this gap.
It’s no surprise, then, that voters are turning to a party that offers practical solutions instead of pitchforks. Reform UK is that party.
Where the other parties see bogeymen, Reform sees opportunities for real change. Instead of scapegoating those on benefits, Reform focuses on making work pay by proposing a tax-free threshold of £20,000. Instead of divisive rhetoric, Reform advocates fairness, proposing a single standard of policing that treats everyone equally, regardless of gender, religion, skin colour, or any other characteristic.
When I was growing up, I was taught that the colour of someone’s skin didn’t matter. Today, critical race theory and the broader “woke” agenda are teaching the opposite: that skin colour is all that matters. Reform dares to push back, calling for a genuinely colour-blind society where merit, not identity, determines opportunity.
The legacy parties have also consistently delivered the same failed solutions: higher taxes, more regulation, and the inevitable decline in GDP per capita. Yet their answer is always more of the same. Reform UK offers an alternative – streamlining government, cutting waste, and empowering individuals and businesses to succeed.
Kenny Farquharson’s recent article highlights Reform’s growing appeal. While some expected Reform to champion anti-devolution rhetoric, the party has shown a pragmatic focus on making devolution work for ordinary Scots. This approach, coupled with its practical policies, explains why Reform is gaining support across traditional party lines – from disaffected Labour voters to former SNP supporters.
For too long, the Holyrood five have catered almost exclusively to middle-class liberals with socialist instincts, split mainly along unionist or independence lines. Reform UK offers a lifeline to those who feel abandoned by this consensus – a party that champions hard work, fairness, and practical solutions.
Scotland’s political landscape is shifting. Over one million Brexit voters, ignored by the Holyrood establishment, are finding their voice in Reform UK. For these voters, tired of pitchfork politics and yearning for practical solutions, Reform UK offers hope and a vision for a better future.
The question isn’t why Reform UK is growing. The question is: why has it taken so long?
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Photo of Pitchfork scene from The Simpsons, courtesy of 20th Television, inc.
