KATE Forbes has responded to the latest defections to Reform UK, saying that Labour and the Tories have "nothing to offer" the people of Scotland.
During a visit to West Lothian on Wednesday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced Tory MSP Graham Simpson had defected to the party.
And on Thursday, Glasgow councillor Audrey Dempsey – who quit Scottish Labour amid a row over "racist comments" last year – announced she had also joined Reform UK, saying the party "shares my values, beliefs and convictions for real and radical change".
Speaking to The National during a visit to the Bell and Bain printworks in Glasgow – where she announced £650,000 in funding to promote the Scots language – the Deputy First Minister condemned the "silence" from Labour and the Tories on anti-immigration rhetoric, which she said had been "disastrous" for both parties.
"It also suggests that – if you look at the number of defections from Labour as well, particularly among councillors – Labour are offering no hope either.
"Between the Conservatives and Labour, their silence over the last few years, particularly in the face of the ramping up of anti-immigration rhetoric, it's been disastrous for them."
The Deputy First Minister added: "The SNP will always make the case for a more humane and dignified approach to asylum, and the importance of immigration as well, particularly to a country which is grappling with population figures that are not rising as fast as they should."
Forbes reiterated the SNP's policy on immigration as she emphasised the need for "stable, humane routes" to allow people to come to Scotland.
"We historically have known what it means to suffer from extremely high levels of emigration," Forbes told The National.
"If we want to keep pace with our population, we need to be an attractive place for people to come and live and work.
"Some parts of Scotland have seen slower increases, but other parts – particularly the rural coastal areas – are seeing forecasts of double digit levels of depopulation, and that has implications, particularly when it affects the working age population, for being able to provide public services."
Forbes's comments come as The National is publishing its latest series, Refugees Are Welcome Here, which celebrates positive stories about refugees in Scotland.
The Deputy First Minister expressed her support for the series, as she shared her own experience of meeting refugees in her constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
"I had the privilege of meeting with some Afghan refugees last week. I met with a group of young women who have been in Scotland and in the Highlands for a number of years, and all of them were so enthusiastic about living here.
"All of them were engaged in making Scotland a better, more successful, more prosperous place. Some of them had started their own businesses, they were supporting others in their neighbourhood. Many of them had children who are now in the local school."
Forbes added that it was "heartening" to hear the women talk about the "warmth and hospitality" they received from people when they first moved to Scotland.
