Coffee House Shots Ash Regan on the rise of Reform in Scotland, what is a woman and why ‘no-one resigns anymore’
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May 5, 2025 
Ash Regan, the Holyrood leader of the pro-independence Alba party and former SNP member, discusses the shifting landscape of Scottish politics. She delves into the rising threat of Reform in Scotland, driven by public disillusionment with mainstream parties. Regan shares her views on the complexities surrounding women's rights shaped by a recent Supreme Court ruling and reflects on her political career, including her commitment to gender reform and the challenges of representing independence within a fragmented electorate.
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Ash Regan's Political Shift
- Ash Regan left SNP over women's rights and independence strategy issues after 9 years as an MSP.
- She joined Alba, a smaller pro-independence party seeking to maximize pro-independence seats in Parliament.
Public's Frustration with Politics
- The public feels fed up with main parties, fueling support for Reform and new parties like Alba.
- Main parties avoid addressing cost of living and social contract breakdown, causing voter disillusionment.
Summit Showed Political Disconnect
- The Scottish government's anti-Reform summit lacked true debate and excluded reform supporters.
- This reflects performative politics distant from average voter concerns and undermines democracy.