Has John Swinney unwittingly painted a target on the back of Reform voters and politicians?

These are febrile times and we all have to be careful with our actions and language, nowhere more so than when speaking as political leaders.

By appearing to brand those who have been elected or voted for Reform as racists and refusing to allow the party to attend his proposed meeting with other parties, the first minister runs the risk of heightening tensions around an already polarised debate.

In a BBC Scotcast podcast in March, he said those with “fundamentally racist views” were backing Nigel Farage’s party and added that increased polling support for Reform was a product of racism.

Almost 17% of Scots, or 383,425 folk, voted for Reform.

And while many of their fellow citizens may deeply dislike some of the party’s policies, those concerned about the health of democracy in an increasingly intolerant political climate may now find a modicum of unexpected sympathy with Malcolm Offord’s party.

‘Banana republic behaviour’

It is incumbent on any first minister to uphold the dignity of their office, but to........

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