Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, describing him as “selling snake oil” during an appearance at the Wigtown Book Festival. Speaking about her new memoir, Frankly, she said Farage seeks scapegoats and falsely blames immigration for the UK’s problems, arguing that irregular migration has been worsened by Brexit rather than the actions of migrants themselves.
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Ms Sturgeon called on left-wing and progressive politicians to confront Farage’s claims with substantive solutions. She said: “Can politicians of the left and progressive politicians find a backbone, start taking on the nonsense Farage is spouting, and come up with better solutions to the problems people are experiencing?” She also criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for, in her view, legitimising Farage by appearing to accept immigration as the central issue.
In addition to political commentary, Sturgeon revealed she is beginning work on a murder mystery novel. She described it as a “counterfactual political thriller”, noting the challenge of wanting to include too many characters as potential victims due to her long career in politics. The novel is intended as a blend of political intrigue and fiction.
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Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie responded by accusing Sturgeon of deflecting from local financial crises while Farage stirs divisive politics. Baillie said Labour is actively opposing grievance politics and suggested Sturgeon has “faded from relevance” as she commented on national issues rather than addressing local challenges in Glasgow.
