The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day’s Scottish politics news.
17:00, 10 Apr 2026
Anas Sarwar launches his party’s battle bus
Anas Sarwar launches Scottish Labour election battle bus with SNP attack
The SNP’s pledge to give private renters first refusal if their home is put up for sale “will not fix a broken system”, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said.
Speaking as he launched his party’s battle bus in Glasgow ahead of the May election, Sarwar said many renters in Scotland feel they have been “forgotten about” by the SNP Government.
It came after First Minister John Swinney announced plans to introduce legislation to bring in the change if the SNP secures another term in power.
This would mean if a landlord decides to put a property on the market, tenants would be given a period of first refusal to buy it “at a fair market rate”, Swinney said.
He said such a move could “help people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home”.
But Sarwar criticised the idea, claiming it would not fix the problem.
He said: “I think everyone will accept in principle that those who have been long-term tenants should have the right to buy their home, but the reality is it will not fix a broken system that the SNP has broken over the last 20 years.”
Scots renting their homes should have ‘first refusal’ to buy if property up for sale, says SNP
Scots who rent their homes should be given “first refusal” to buy the property if it goes up for sale, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister made the bold election pledge today after years of criticism that the SNP Government has failed to get to grips with the housing emergency gripping the country.
It comes at a time more than 10,000 children are stuck living with their families in temporary accommodation due to the severe lack of affordable homes in Scotland’s biggest cities, while the number of people rough sleeping has soared.
The SNP policy – if implemented – would mean if a landlord decides to put a property on the market, tenants would be given a period of first refusal to buy it “at a fair market rate.
Speaking ahead of a campaign visit to Inverness on Friday, the SNP leader said such a move could “help people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home”.
Former Reform councillor claims Holyrood candidate slots were ripped up amid ‘cronyism’ allegations
A former Reform councillor has accused the party of “cronyism” and ripping up the prized rankings for Holyrood election candidates.
Todd Ferguson claimed he was promised third place in West Scotland but was told he had been bumped to fourth at the last minute.
He said others had been treated the same way: “I saw no evidence of the professionalism or leadership expected of a serious political movement.”
Opinion polls show Reform could secure up to 20 MSPs on May 7th after benefiting from a rise in support across the UK.
The new MSPs would be on the regional Lists whose rankings are determined by Reform UK bosses.
