‘Reform is an acute threat to Scottish self-government,’ says John Swinney

First minister and SNP leader John Swinney on the campaign trail in Scotland. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Reform UK represents an acute threat to Scottish self government, John Swinney has warned, adding that nationalist victories in Scotland and Wales in May could “irrevocably change” the dynamics of constitutional debate across the UK.

While the Scottish National party enjoys a comfortable polling lead ahead of the Holyrood elections next Thursday, recent polling has put Reform, led in Scotland by the millionaire and former Conservative peer Malcolm Offord, neck and neck with Scottish Labour for second place.