A poll that predicts Reform will return 15 MSPs next year is extremely worrying.
The right-wing party is also forecast to pick up 13 per cent of the constituency and list votes.
If these results turn out to be true, Reform would be in the decisive position over who is first minister beyond 2026.
Securing a foothold at Holyrood would also be disruptive and undermine the parliament.
Make no mistake, Farage’s dog whistle politics are appalling. He demonises the most vulnerable in society and peddles conspiracy theories.
He exploits people’s desire for change by feeding them lies about the true roots of society’s ills. His “solutions” on climate and immigration are the opposite of what Scotland needs.
There is no place in Scotland for a mainstream political leader who does not believe the climate crisis is man-made or who wants to stop foreign people from entering the country.
Scotland needs progressive politics – not reactionary ones – and the poll is a wake-up call.
We have a great opportunity to become a hub of renewable energy. Our ageing workforce also needs people from other countries to help fill gaps.
All other parties from across the political spectrum need to redouble their efforts to expose Reform for the frauds that they are.
They need to work together to show that this kind of hateful and manipulative politics is unwelcome.
But the best way to reduce Reform’s popularity is for our governments in Westminster and Holyrood to deliver a real change in living standards for hard-working Scots
Dog collar cruelty
Electric shock collars for dogs are cruel, outdated and not effective – the evidence on that is clear.
The lack of a workable ban on these nasty devices is a glaring omission from the Scottish Government’s animal welfare agenda.
SNP ministers promised to outlaw the collars back in 2018 but, inexplicably, the so-called “ban” remains guidance only.
These double-pronged collars deliberately inflict pain on pets to try to change their behaviour, but experts say they’re just as likely to instil long-term fear in dogs and potentially create even more problems down the line.
The polling bears that out, with huge majorities of Scots backing a ban on shock collars.
The government’s slowness in making this happen is why efforts are now being made to force a Holyrood vote on this next week, as part of a separate dogs welfare bill.
It’s about time the law catches up with public opinion – and gets painful shock collars off our dogs for good.
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