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Lib Dems the most influential party at Holyrood, Cole-Hamilton says

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Alex Cole-Hamilton's party had its best result in 20 years in May, but is the smallest group in the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Liberal Democrats are the most influential group at Holyrood, leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has claimed.

Addressing the UK Lib Dem conference in Brighton, the MSP also described his party as the "antidote" to Reform.

He hailed its party's "massive leap forward" in this year's Holyrood election, returning their largest group in 20 years.

And he told the conference it was the Lib Dems who had stopped the SNP "in their tracks" and left plans for a second independence referendum "in tatters".

John Swinney's party had targeted a majority of 65 seats in May's election, with the first minister arguing an SNP majority would be the best way to secure a mandate for a second referendum.

Although his party fell short, pro-independence parties maintain a majority after the Greens won a record 15 seats.

The Lib Dems returned 10 MSPs, an increase of six, including four constituencies - though they sit as the smallest group at Holyrood.

Cole-Hamilton told the conference his party had taken a "huge leap forward", telling the audience: "We won in places we have never won before."

He said: "The SNP went backwards, losing both votes and seats, leaving their plans for another referendum on Scottish independence in tatters."

The MSP insisted his party was the most influential group at Holyrood "because the SNP know they will have to fight to win us over on every vote".

He added: "Our price will be steep."

Reform is 'all a con'

Cole-Hamilton said the Lib Dems had already won concessions from the government, including commitments to improve community benefit for renewable energy and to extend compensation for coastal towns affected by ferry issues.

The Lib Dem chief then took aim at Reform, who won 17 seats in May to become Holyrood's joint second biggest group.

"Nigel Farage isn't offering change," he said. "It's all a con - like some Wizard of Oz, sitting behind £72m worth of dodgy curtains.

"Reform, in Scotland, promised voters the earth, but so far they've achieved absolutely nothing."

Cole-Hamilton added: We liberals are the antidote to Reform.

"We may never match the crypto in their bank accounts, but they'll never match us on the doors."