Reform deputy leader Richard Tice believes the party could become ‘kingmakers’ in 2026 (Image: Getty)
Reform UK has said it could help Labour’s candidate for First Minister of Scotland – as ‘anything is preferable to the ‘.
‘s party hopes to become kingmakers in the Scottish Parliament’s 2026 election, where it expected to gain around 14 seats.
The party is expected to become the fourth biggest in the Holyrood election, the , behind Labour, the and the , although Reform even hopes to knock the into fourth.
The position of First Minister is set to be taken by either Labour or the – with Reform’s deputy leader indicating the party would help to put Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in power in Edinburgh.
Speaking to , he claimed Scotland had suffered under an government and that it was ‘time for a change’.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (Image: Getty)
He added: “Our ambition is we see it being quite possible that we end up being the kingmakers in the next Holyrood government.
“And from a standing start, give or take at the beginning of this year in Scottish terms, that is a pretty significant and quite achievable observation.
“It’s quite possible that we poll as the third largest party in terms of the number of votes and seats.”
The Reform MP for Boston and Skegness added that he felt the party would perform particularly well in North East Scotland in 2026.
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SNP’s John Swinney, left, could suffer huge losses at the next elections, with Labour set to benefit (Image: Getty)
The next Scottish Parliament elections are due in 2026 (Image: Getty)
However he also believes the party could ‘surprise’ people in Glasgow after Reform came third in a recent by-election in the city’s North East ward.
Mr Tice added: “If you look at where we’re polling and I think for most people that’s unexpected rapid growth.
“And polling is being at least matched by by-election results – so it’s for real. It’s not just keyboard warriors.”