Cole-Hamilton opens door to helping Sarwar become first minister

Alex Cole-Hamilton has signalled his openness to back Anas Sarwar as first minister after the Scottish Parliament elections.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader said if there was an “opportunity” to “get rid of the SNP” from power, he would “look at that”.

But the politician insisted there were “no deals or alliances” with the Scottish Labour leader going into the election.

A Survation poll on Tuesday suggested the SNP could win 62 seats at Holyrood, Reform 19, Labour 18, Tories 13, the Greens 10 and Lib Dems 7.

A party needs 65 MSPs to win a majority, although the Parliament was designed to encourage parties to work together, including as part of minority governments.

The party leader spoke to the Press Association after playing tennis with UK Lib Dem leader in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. The pair said the stunt showed Lib Dem MSPs were “ready to serve” the country.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said, earlier this month, he would rather resign as Scottish Lib Dem leader than allow SNP leader John Swinney to return as first minister after the election.

Asked if he would back rival leader Mr Sarwar to do take the top job, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “First and foremost, there are no deals or alliances with Labour.

“I’m focused on delivering as many MSPs as I can for the Lib Dems and that’s happening in 10 seats across Scotland, or wherever you are, on that peach ballot paper, the regional vote, where we can win.

“But listen, Scotland needs change, and if there is an opportunity to get rid of the SNP and deliver change with fairness in its heart, which shares our values, of course, we’ll look at that.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton, whose party currently has five MSPs, predicted his party would become a “big player” in the next parliament.

He added: “I’m focused on delivering as many Lib Dem MSPs (as possible) and our vision, fixing our health service, driving down the cost of living, lifting up Scottish education and getting Scotland moving again.

“And the more MSPs (we have) I can do that, then the bigger part we will play in the new Parliament.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton spoke on a tennis court in Bishopbriggs following a game with Sir Ed, the UK party leader.

Sir Ed said his party had “momentum” following the party’s successful general election result in 2024 when they increased their seat count from 11 to 72, adding: “We felt the wind in our sails.”

“Scotland’s been very badly run for two decades by the SNP,” he said.

“People are crying out for change and what the Liberal Democrats are offering in this election is change with fairness at its heart.

“There is, I’m afraid, change on offer from the right wing, from Reform and the Conservatives, and I’m afraid that’s not true to Scottish values.

“It’s divisive, and I think Scottish people will see through it. They want change that is true to Scottish values and that’s Liberal Democrat change.”

Mr Sarwar told PA on Tuesday that he wanted to be “absolutely clear” he would make “no pacts, no deals” and “no grubby coalitions” with other political parties, adding: “We are going flat out to win this election.”

The Scottish Labour leader said: “That’s the ambition and that’s the choice – me or John Swinney. I’m confident Scotland will choose change with me and Scottish Labour.”