The First Minister’s decision to hold an “anti-far right” summit has hit the headlines in recent days – but what exactly is it and why does the meeting matter?
John Swinney announced back in February that he would convene a gathering to unite Scotland against the “increasingly extreme far right”.
In recent days, politicians and organisations have spoken out about the meeting – with criticisms levelled at the First Minister by those across the political spectrum.
Wednesday will see Swinney’s summit finally begin, with key organisations and leaders from across Scotland – including churches, trade unions, charities and leaders of Scotland’s parliamentary parties – due to attend.
According to Swinney, the summit will “draw a line in the sand” and “bring Scotland together in common cause”.
The topics up for discussion will include the “threat from the far right” as well as democracy and respect across Scotland.
The First Minister also said the gathering is an opportunity for Scotland to unite behind the common principle “that far right and racist hatred” should have no place in Scotland.
He said it’s a chance for Scotland to discuss its shared values and work towards a “cohesive society where everyone feels at home”.
“The threat from the far right is real. But that leaves me all the more convinced that working together is not only the right choice, but the only choice,” Swinney said when he announced the summit.
“That is why I want to share a new initiative to bring Scotland together in common cause. I want us to work together to agree a common approach to asserting the values of our country, to bringing people together and creating a cohesive society where everyone feels at home.”
Who is attending?
The summit guest list includes church and religious leaders, trade unions, charities and leaders of Scotland’s political parties.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) will be among those in attendance. Ahead of the meeting, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said the summit “must not just be a business-as-usual gathering”.
“The far right are feeding like vultures off the alienation and desperation many feel within our communities. Legitimate fears and concerns on the economic precarity and insecurity many working class people feel are being twisted into false and hateful narratives that must be countered,” Foyer said.
“Now is the time for action. Fighting the far right is a central theme of our upcoming congress in Dundee next week. This summit therefore from the First Minister cannot be a talking shop. We trust it won’t be.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he will attend, but levelled harsh criticisms at both Swinney and his SNP Government in his public RSVP.
“Those that helped fan the flames of divisive politics – a failing SNP government – cannot pretend to be the ones to lead the fight against it,” Sarwar said.
Criticising the SNP’s management of NHS and public services, Sarwar accused the government of acting as a “recruiting sergeant” for fringe parties such as Reform.
“I will engage with all concerned to tackle the rise of divisive politics but what we can’t allow to happen is for this summit to look like the Scottish establishment talking to itself,” Sarwar said.
“The truth is that our country does need a new direction – but we only will get that if we remove the SNP from office and elect a Scottish Government that really delivers for Scots.”
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie will also be in attendance. His public RSVP urged Holyrood politicians not to legitimise the “hateful policies of the far right” ahead of the 2026 election.
“I hope that this week’s summit can change the tune of politicians so that, ahead of 2026, we can discuss building a fairer, greener Scotland for all.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will be noticeably missing from the guest list.
Findlay previously hit out at the summit as “yet another SNP talking shop”, which he said is “inherently divisive”.
In an open letter to the First Minister, he laid out a series of “common sense requests” which included urging Swinney to drop the SNP’s quest for independence
On Friday, Findlay confirmed that he would not take part in the meeting.
Targeting the First Minister, Findlay said: “It is disappointing that you have failed to address my reasonable requests, which are to stop seeking to split up our country, stop pushing gender self-ID policies and give a commitment to being transparent and truthful with the Scottish public.
“These are consistent with your summit’s stated purpose of tackling ‘polarising forces’ in politics. If you wish to unite the country, you should begin by addressing these concerns, which the majority of people across Scotland share.”
The Tory leader also said he does not believe the summit is required when he agrees with Swinney that “racist hatred should have no place in Scotland”.
In a response, the First Minister said he was “disappointed” that Findlay “appeared to be searching for reasons not to take part in this important discussion”.
Reform UK, which has not been invited, has described the meeting as ‘anti-democratic’ and an attempt to push back its growing support.
The summit will kick off at 10am on Wednesday April 23 at the Merchants House of Glasgow.
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