Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned Labour supporters in Scotland that a failure to set a clear a path for the country will open the door to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and “dangerous right-wing politics.

Addressing the party’s conference in Glasgow he acknowledges the growing threat of Reform which has rapidly established a significant foothold in Scotland from a standing start since last July’s general election.

A Survation poll last month suggests that 9% of those who voted for Labour are turning to Farage’s group, and Labour insiders are nervous that Reform’s popularity could hit them hard among their older voter base in Scotland.

Reform could win 15 seats in 2026 – overtaking the Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens to become the fourth biggest party in Holyrood. Organisers claim the group has already surpassed 7,700 members in Scotland to become the third most subscribed party north of the border, behind the SNP and Scottish Labour.

Much of that growth is based on disillusion with Labour’s performance, including a series of broken promises and decisions on issues such as winter fuel payments and compensating the Waspi campaigners.

In a briefing note on Sir Keir’s speech he did not make reference to these issues, instead focusing on the challenge from the right wing and on the prospect of Labour winning the Scottish election next year.

“If we don’t show a path to the future, others will fill that void,” he says. “In fact – they already are. A dangerous right-wing politics – even here in Scotland – that will say they are the ones who can tilt politics towards the interests of working people. Even as their proposals do precisely the opposite.”

He addw: “We have to be ready for this test, conference. Ready to point out that beneath the bluster, the alternative they offer is alien to working people.”

He warnw that Reform MPs are “voting against our employments right bill. They talk the language of workers’ rights online and on doorsteps, but they want to charge people to use the NHS.

“They are not the answer people are looking for. That is not the answer for Britain. And it will never be the answer for Scotland.”

Sir Keir, who is championing the possibilities of a Labour government at Holyrood as well as at Westminster, says that Scotland is “leading the way in delivering on key aspects of his Plan for Change for Britain”.

Sir Keir says that he wants to turn the page on the Conservative-SNP “pact of decline” that had “no interest in Scotland’s success”, telling delegates that “victory in July, conference – it’s your victory. It belongs to you. You changed the future of our country – thank you.”

He says that Labour has delivered £47.7 billion for the Scottish Government – the most money ever provided in the devolution era.

“For three interest rate cuts, more money for Scottish schools, more money for Scottish hospitals, more money for Scottish police services, more money for Scotland,” he says.

“And what did the SNP do? They voted against it. The same old SNP: gesture politics first, Scotland – second.”

But his praise for the efforts of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar contrast with a sharp reversal in support for Labour north of the border.

Mr Sarwar has been forced into rowing back on his support for the SNP’s plan to make it easier for people to legally change their gender. He has also pledged to abolish peak rail fares and mitigate the winter fuel payment cuts with a Scottish top-up.

See also:

Starmer in £800m Grangemouth pledge