Findlay issues a rallying cry to save the Union ahead of the Holyrood elections

Russell Findlay has urged voters not to end up with ‘serious buyer’s remorse’ by inadvertently allowing the SNP into tomorrow’s Holyrood election.

The Scottish Conservative leader has warned of the danger of John Swinney remaining in power following a surge in support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, further dividing support for pro-Union rivals to the SNP.

He said Scots face the threat of an SNP majority or other nationalist alliance with the “extremist” Scottish Greens in a “Bute House 2” deal that he likened to a horror movie sequel.

He acknowledged that some pro-British voters may turn to tactical voting on the constituency ballot paper, but urged them to “stick with us” on the peach regional list ballot paper.

Findlay also insisted he is in it for the long haul, claiming there is ‘no chance’ he will quit as Scottish Tory leader when the full election results are known on Saturday.

His comments came in an interview with the Mail, as political leaders prepare to take to the streets today (WED) for the final day of the campaign trail before tomorrow’s vote.

In a final rallying cry to pro-Union voters, Findlay said voters should be aware that Swinney is “not bluffing” when he says he will immediately push for another independence referendum if he remains in power, and that he believes people are becoming alert to the threat of the “nightmare scenario” of an SNP majority.

Russell Findlay on the campaign trail in Auchterarder, Perthshire, on Tuesday

Mr Findlay said Scots face the threat of an SNP majority led by First Minister John Swinney, pictured, another nationalist alliance with the ‘extremist’ Scottish Greens

On the threat of large numbers of voters switching to reform, which according to some polls is currently on course for second place, he said: ‘I completely understand why people feel so disillusioned with politics, and reform tries to be all things to all people but provide simple solutions to complex problems. But much worse than that is that they pretend to be a Unionist party – they cannot be trusted in the Union.

‘So I say to people across Scotland, wherever they live, that the Union cannot rely on reform. All John Swinney cares about is destroying the Union, so think twice. They must be very, very careful, because we already know that a vote for Reform will most likely result in the SNP winning constituencies where they would not otherwise win. That’s why the peach ballot is more important this year than it was even in 2021.

“So we need to tell people that there is a price for voting for reform, and the price is that you get an SNP government and maybe an SNP majority. No one thinking about voting for reform, presumably that would be their intention, but that’s what will happen.”

He said the difference between Mr Swinney winning a majority and not winning a majority could be the number of voters who support the reform.

While he acknowledged that people are considering supporting reform because they feel let down by Holyrood, he said: “By being so disillusioned, by thinking reform is the answer, you get the SNP. It’s that simple.

‘You know what, they would seriously regret it if they woke up a day later and saw their seat taken by an SNP MSP and John Swinney shouting from the rooftops that this is a mandate, that the people have spoken and this is a mandate for a new referendum.’

The Mail, in partnership with the Scotland in Union campaign group, has published a detailed tactical voting guide, setting out the best-placed alternative to the SNP in each of the 73 constituencies. It highlights that Labor is best placed on 47 seats, the Conservatives on 16 and the Liberal Democrats on 10.

Mr Findlay said: “People are going to vote tactically. We want people across the country to vote for us, but we know that people who may be ill and fed up with the SNP government will sometimes vote tactically.

“But on that peach ballot: Stay with us. For more than a decade we have been the party at Holyrood that has stirred the SNP’s cages into turmoil. We’ve seen John Swinney, we’ve seen Nicola Sturgeon, we’ve seen some of their most barren laws, including Nicola Sturgeon’s excessive gender self-ID, which would have devastated women’s rights in Scotland.

“But all our good work is actually at risk if people vote for reform. Because if John Swinney gets a majority or if it’s a resurrection of the worst horror film in history – Bute House 2 – then God help Scotland, all that good work will count for nothing and we’ll be back to square one.

‘I ask your readers, I ask the people of Scotland: do you really want that? Can you really risk that by flirting with other parties?’

He claimed the SNP’s record should ‘resign them to political Siberia’, adding: ‘The thought of these outright contenders returning to power, even though their votes have been massively reduced, is enough to motivate me to fight tooth and nail every minute between now and election day.

‘Yes, many people across Scotland have become aware of the ineptitude, sloppiness, corruption and incompetence of the SNP. So look at the alternatives. Look for a party that has a real plan to tackle the cost of living, cut taxes, cut benefits. That is the Scottish Conservatives, and not any other party.

‘And even if you’re not completely convinced yet and you want to stop that SNP majority, the secret weapon of the peach ballot paper is how you stop the SNP in the whole of Scotland.

‘The margins couldn’t be thinner. Despite everything, the SNP vote is nowhere near what it has been in the past, because of the electoral system they are on the cusp of possibly getting that majority, so we need to unite and unite behind the Scottish Conservatives on that peach ballot paper.”

In his final speech to voters today, Mr Swinney will argue that an SNP majority will ‘ensure we can support people’s living costs, drive Nigel Farage from power in Scotland and deliver a fresh start to independence’.

He’ll say, ‘I think we’re so close to that – it’s within reach. But we have to make it happen.

“The opportunity is in your hands and tomorrow I am asking for your support to ensure we seize that opportunity.

‘That comes from using both your votes for the SNP, delivering a government on Scotland’s side and re-electing me as your First Minister.’

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar will say: ‘Tomorrow Scotland faces a simple choice: more of the same with John Swinney and the SNP, or change with Scottish Labour. The poison of reform, or a better future for our country.

‘I stand ready to sort out the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

“So my message to voters is simple. Vote for change tomorrow. Reject reform. Defeat the SNP. Change Scotland.’

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: ‘Russell Findlay’s comments are a tired attempt to scare voters into sticking with the same parties that have let them down for years.

‘The polls clearly show that the old Westminster parties are not relevant in Scotland. The only way to end the SNP’s stranglehold on May 7 is to vote for Reform UK.”