John Swinney calls on leaders to unite for democracy

Prime Minister John Swinney has urged the political, faith and civic leaders of Scotland to join to protect democracy before a meeting in Glasgow.

Around 50 organizations, including political parties, groups of faith and positions, attend the forum.

Swinney said he arrived in an “era of uncertainty” with “democratic systems worldwide under pressure.”

All Holyrood matches, except conservatives, attend.

When Swinney announced plans to celebrate the forum in February, he said that the holidays come together to “block” the “extreme right” of Scottish politics.

The reform reform specifically, which suggests the surveys, could make an electoral advance in Scotland in the May Holyrood elections of next May.

The reform, directed by Nigel Farage, was not invited. The party insists that it opposes the extremism of the extreme right.

The first Scottish government documents for the meeting, seen by BBC Scotland News, do not mention the reform.

Instead, they focus on addressing erroneous information, inequality and discrimination, improving confidence in politics and protecting themselves against electoral interference.

Swinney said: “Today’s civic meeting aims to unite political and civic leaders, presenting a vital opportunity to agree on a common approach to affirm the values ​​of who we are like Scots, to unite people to all society and at home.”

Reform Councilor Thomas Kerr, who defected the conservatives in January, said he welcomed “any serious attempt to reflect on the state of our national discourse.”

He added: “If this summit means something, that it is the moment when our political leaders stop blaming the public for their discontent, and begin to ask what can be done to rebuild confidence through honesty, competition and courage.”

The conservative leader Russell Findlay confirmed last week that he would not attend the event and describe him as a “spell store.”

Tory MSP said the prime minister should celebrate a summit to address organized crime after a series of gang incidents in recent weeks.

Scottish liberal democratic leader Alex Cole-Hamilton accused Findlay of deciding “Skulk at home.”

He said: “At this summit, I will make the prime minister that the best way to recover many of those who feel discontent is to fulfill the things that matter, such as access to local health, education and the cost of living.

The MSP added: “Do not persuade anyone labeling them or decreasing how they feel; you need to listen to them and govern well.”

The Scottish Labor leader, Anas Sarwar, accused Swinney of getting attention to reform the United Kingdom instead of focusing on important issues such as education and NHS.

He said: “John Swinney is talking about reform in the United Kingdom because it is a useful political tool for his party, rather on the issues that are pushing people towards them.

“I will get involved with all interested parties to address the emergence of divisive policy, but what we cannot allow to happen is that this summit looks like the Scottish establishment that speaks with themselves.”

The co-leader of Scottish Green, Patrick Harvie, warned that the ministers should not legitimize the policies of the extreme right before the next Holyrood elections.

He said: “You can’t overcome the extreme right acting like them; the legitimation of their toxic rhetoric simply makes them stronger and attracts more media attention.”

Harvie added: “People of all Scotland need real change to improve their lives in front of a broken economic system that is strengthening inequality.”