Scottish First Minister John Swinney says the Scottish government will work with parties across the political spectrum on issues of common interest, but will not cooperate with Reform UK. The Belfast Telegraph and Evening Standard both report that Swinney frames the decision as part of a broader approach to cross-party working. The Evening Standard adds that Reform UK has responded by accusing Swinney of “political posturing.”
While the articles agree on the central message—that Swinney is open to cross-party cooperation but not with Reform UK—they differ mainly in how they present the surrounding dispute. Together, they depict a continuing political disagreement between Swinney and Reform UK, with Reform criticising the stance and the First Minister maintaining the government’s position. The reports do not indicate any specific policy area or mechanism where the cross-party cooperation is expected to occur, nor do they outline further details of why Reform UK is excluded. The focus remains on Swinney’s stated boundary for cooperation and the immediate political reaction from Reform UK.
