Reform Intelligence
Reform UK — Devolved Nations

Scotland & Devolved Nations Tracker

Reform UK's expansion into Scotland and Wales represents a more nuanced picture than the England-only polling collapse narrative. Reform was polling second in Scotland in January 2026. The IFS published a specific critique of Reform's Scottish manifesto in March 2026. With Holyrood and Senedd elections in May 2026, this module tracks the devolved dimension of Reform UK's political trajectory.

Sources: IFS (March 2026), ElectaMeter, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, Holyrood Magazine · Polling updated as new data is published
Key Figures
22%
Scotland peak polling
January 2026
Reform polling second in Scotland at peak — ahead of Labour
15%
Scotland current polling
March 2026
7pp drop from peak; mirroring England trajectory
May '26
Holyrood & Senedd elections
Both devolved nations
Reform standing candidates in both; first devolved elections
0
Devolved seats held
Scotland, Wales, NI
No MSPs, MSs, or MLAs as of March 2026
01 — Scotland Polling

Scottish Westminster Voting Intention (2024–2026)

Jun '24Sep '24Dec '24Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Jan '26Mar '260%8%16%24%32%
  • Reform UK
  • SNP
  • Labour
  • Conservative
Source: ElectaMeter Scotland tracker (composite of Scottish polling firms) · electameter.co.uk
02 — Nations Overview

Reform UK in Each Devolved Nation

Scotland
Scottish Parliament (Holyrood)Standing candidates
Next election
May 2026
Current polling
15% (March 2026)
Peak polling
22% (January 2026)

Reform UK was polling second in Scotland in January 2026, ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. The March 2026 polling collapse has been mirrored in Scotland, though from a lower base.

ElectaMeter / BBC Scotland
Wales
Senedd CymruStanding candidates
Next election
May 2026
Current polling
18% (March 2026)
Peak polling
28% (January 2026)

Reform UK has been polling strongly in Wales, where the Conservatives have collapsed. Nathan Gill — the Reform UK figure convicted of pro-Russia bribery — was previously a prominent figure in Welsh politics as a UKIP MEP.

ElectaMeter / BBC Wales
Northern Ireland
Stormont AssemblyNot standing
Next election
2027 (scheduled)
Current polling
Not standing
Peak polling
N/A

Reform UK does not stand candidates in Northern Ireland. The political landscape is dominated by DUP, Sinn Féin, Alliance, and UUP. Reform UK's Brexit positions have been cited in Northern Ireland political debates.

Electoral Commission NI
03 — IFS Analysis

IFS Verdict on Reform UK's Scottish Manifesto (March 2026)

The IFS published a specific response to Reform UK's Scottish manifesto in March 2026 — the same month as this dashboard's launch. This is the most recent independent economic analysis of Reform UK's proposals.

Income tax cuts
Not Credible
Reform claimed: "Reform UK's 2026 Scottish manifesto proposed income tax cuts, claiming they would pay for themselves through higher economic growth."
"This is not credible. Specifically, the evidence that tax cuts pay for themselves via higher economic growth does not match the evidence."
This is not credible. Specifically, the evidence that tax cuts pay for themselves via higher economic growth does not match the evidence.
IFS — March 2026
Abolish the Scottish Parliament
Internally Inconsistent
Reform claimed: "Reform UK has called for the abolition of the Scottish Parliament, arguing it is a waste of money and a driver of separatism."
"Reform UK's Scottish manifesto contains proposals that are devolved matters, which they simultaneously propose to abolish the power to implement."
The IFS did not analyse this specific proposal but noted that Reform UK's Scottish manifesto was 'internally inconsistent' — promising both to abolish Holyrood and to implement policies that are devolved matters.
IFS — March 2026
Scrap Scottish NHS waiting list targets
Not Analysed
Reform claimed: "Reform UK proposed scrapping NHS waiting list targets in Scotland, arguing they distort clinical priorities."
Not specifically analysed by IFS. Health policy in Scotland is fully devolved.
IFS — March 2026
04 — Holyrood Projection

May 2026 Holyrood Seat Scenarios

Holyrood uses the Additional Member System (AMS), which is more proportional than Westminster's FPTP. Reform UK's regional list votes could translate into seats even at lower polling levels. These are illustrative scenarios, not formal projections.

ScenarioProjected SeatsNotes
Current polling (15%)8–12Based on March 2026 polling; regional list seats likely
Peak polling (22%)18–25Based on January 2026 polling; would make Reform third party
England-mirrored collapse2–5If Scotland mirrors England's polling trajectory
Illustrative scenarios only · Based on D'Hondt method regional list modelling · Not a formal seat projection