SNP Wins Fifth Term but Loses Majority; O'Neill Seeks to Dissolve UK; Parties Unite to Exclude Reform
Where things stand
Updated May 11, 09:51 AMThe Scottish National Party won a fifth consecutive Scottish Parliament election but fell short of an overall majority. Labour and Reform UK tied for second place, each winning 17 seats. The Conservatives finished with 12 seats, their worst-ever Holyrood result, losing their position as the largest opposition party. The Liberal Democrats returned 10 MSPs. Pro-independence parties—the SNP and the Scottish Greens—together hold 73 of the 129 seats, a majority. SNP leader John Swinney said he is prepared to work with any party other than Reform UK after failing to secure a majority.
Open questions
- How will the SNP secure a governing majority given its shortfall?Open since May 9, 2026
- What are the final seat counts for the SNP and the Scottish Greens?Open since May 9, 2026
- What policy concessions might the Greens demand in exchange for their support?Open since May 9, 2026
- Will the exclusion of Reform UK from cooperation talks affect parliamentary dynamics?Open since May 11, 2026
- How will the pro-independence majority influence the push for a second independence referendum?Open since May 9, 2026
Key actors
What's corroborated
Labour finished second with 17 seats, tied with Reform UK.
3 sourcesacross 2 articlesThe SNP won a fifth successive Scottish Parliament election but fell short of an overall majority.
3 sourcesacross 2 articlesThe Liberal Democrats returned 10 MSPs.
2 sourcesacross 2 articlesJohn Swinney said he is prepared to work with any party other than Reform UK after failing to secure a majority in the Holyrood election.
2 sourcesacross 1 articleThe SNP and Greens together hold 73 of the 129 seats, a majority for pro-independence parties.
2 sourcesacross 1 article
Timeline7
Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan refused to rule out tax increases demanded by the Scottish Greens for supporting SNP legislation.
Multiple major media sources confirm SNP won 58 seats, Reform UK and Labour tied for second with 17 seats each.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill says she will collaborate with SNP and Plaid Cymru to dissolve the UK after their election wins.
Conservative leader Russell Findlay blamed Reform UK for splitting the unionist vote, contributing to the Tories' loss of 19 seats and opposition status.