Rural support for Reform UK thrown into doubt after no-show at Scotland's political fishing debate
Criticism from the fishing sector came as Reform UK launched its manifesto
Scotland’s fishing industry has expressed frustration after a candidate from Reform UK failed to attend a national hustings ahead of May’s Holyrood election.
Representatives from across the political spectrum gathered in Edinburgh on Thursday for an event hosted by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), where the sector’s most pressing concerns — including competition for marine space from offshore wind and wider questions of food security — were debated.
A deliberately empty chair was placed alongside five MSPs to mark the party’s absence.
The event coincided with the launch of Reform’s manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections, a timing that has raised questions within the industry about the party’s engagement with fishing interests.
Support for Reform has grown in parts of the north-east, particularly in Aberdeenshire, long regarded as the heartland of Scotland’s fishing sector. The region is home to major ports including Peterhead and Fraserburgh, which together account for a substantial share of the UK’s landings by value.
Speaking after the hustings, Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the SFF, said the absence had been noted.
“We offered the opportunity to all of the Holyrood parties to come along and say how they would stand up for fishing ahead of the election,” she said.
“It is disappointing that Reform declined our invitation to even take a seat at the table.”
Finlay Carson, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, who appeared on the panel, said the party’s absence confirmed “Reform are no friends of Scotland’s fishermen.”
“The fact that nobody in their party could even be bothered to turn up to this crucial hustings shows that the industry simply is not a priority for them,” he said.
The MSP criticised both the Scottish and UK governments, arguing that fishermen were being “hammered” in negotiations and policy decisions affecting the sector.
“Our fishermen are being hammered by both the SNP and Labour governments who are hellbent on selling them out in negotiations with the European Union and totally detached from the reality facing them right now,” he said.
“This hustings was a chance to hear from fishermen directly and I know how important the sector is to coastal communities across Scotland, including in my own constituency in Galloway.”
He added that voters seeking stronger representation for the industry should back the Scottish Conservatives in May’s election.
SNP MSP Emma Harper said: “It’s not surprising that Reform 2025 Limited didn’t even bother to turn up to such an important hustings. Our fishing communities deserve to be listened to, and that starts with showing up and engaging fully.
“But to be honest, people working in the industry are less interested in political point-scoring and more interested in who is actually on their side.
“The SNP is committed to working directly with fishermen. Collaboration is key and the Fishers are the experts in their field, and it’s vital that their knowledge and experience are at the heart of decision-making.
“Fishing is central to the economy and identity of coastal and rural communities right across South Scotland and beyond. That’s why we’ve been investing in the sector and supporting jobs through initiatives like the Marine Fund Scotland.
“The reality is that many of the biggest challenges facing the industry right now come from decisions made at Westminster – whether that’s Brexit or the failure to deliver Scotland’s fair share of funding.”
The UK government and Reform UK was approached for comment.
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