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The Independent
4 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Nigel Farage dodges media event in Hamilton
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has dodged a planned media event in Hamilton ahead of a by-election this week. The party leader was due to visit the town as part of campaigning in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse vote, with the party telling journalists a 'walkabout' would take place in Hamilton. While the exact location was not immediately made available to journalists, the party said it would inform those who were planning on attending. As rumours swirled the event would begin in the car park of a Premier Inn in the town, reporters, photographers and broadcasters congregated there, waiting for around two hours for the Reform UK leader. However, he did not appear at the event, which was scheduled to begin at 2.15pm. Mr Farage later posted pictures of a similar walkabout with candidate Ross Lambie as the one planned for Hamilton – but in neighbouring Larkhall – as well as another which appeared to have been taken in the back court of the party's offices in the town. No official reason has been given by the party for Mr Farage not attending the event, but he had earlier accused the Herald of leaking the location of a press conference he was holding in Aberdeen, something which the paper has strenuously denied. Later in the day, protesters clashed with Reform supporters outside the party's offices in Hamilton. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie MSP said: 'Nigel Farage has bottled it, proving what we have known for years – he is a coward. 'Farage's day saw him admit he can't win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, announce that he would slash funding for Scotland's NHS and public services, and then do a runner.' SNP depute leader Keith Brown, meanwhile, hit out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland on Monday, but did not campaign in the by-election. Mr Brown said: 'Starmer running scared is proof that Labour has given up on this campaign and it is only the SNP who are facing down Farage and taking our positive message to the doorsteps.'
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Can Reform win big in Scotland? The establishment is terrified
Something that the progressive Left always feared but never took very seriously seems to have happened: the accusation of 'racist' has lost much of its power to silence opponents. Take Scotland. There has been an avalanche of media and political condemnation, bordering on hysteria, against Nigel Farage and the prospect that his party, Reform UK, will do well in this week's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. The First Minister himself, John Swinney, used the R-word to describe Farage at an election rally at the weekend. But to what effect? Yesterday, Swinney's predecessor as first minister, Humza Yousaf, took to the stage at an event organised by Stand Up To Racism to inform us that Scotland, on whose behalf Yousaf claimed to be speaking, does not welcome Farage or his party. We'll discover the truth of this assertion when the votes are counted on Thursday, but all the polling and anecdotal evidence from the campaign trail suggests that at least a significant proportion of this decidedly working-class constituency does not share Yousaf's views. Worryingly for the main parties, recent front page splashes by Scottish tabloids and dire warnings of Scotland being engulfed in the shadow of 1930s Germany seem to be having far less of an impact than what might have been the case in days gone by. That is not to say that Scots in west central Scotland are relaxed about the arrival of a 'far-Right' party in the Scottish Parliament and in town halls, or the consequences of that party's policies on race relations. It's more that they seem to have grown somewhat cynical about repeated cries of 'Wolf!' and the subsequent non-appearance of said sheep-bothering predator. After decades in which ordinary people across the country were warned that criticising high levels of immigration was the equivalent of goose-stepping along Nuremberg High Street, such colourful 'lessons from history' are taken significantly less seriously than in the past. Partly this is down to fascism fatigue: when everyone to the Right of Ed Miliband is a fascist, then no one is. And when commonly held opinions on immigration or gender ideology are considered by many to define the new fascism, the best response is to accept the new definition with a resigned sigh and get on with your life. Commentators often seek answers as to the perceived increase in the kind of political disillusion that has led to the relative success of Reform UK in recent opinion polls: they should look no further than how the definition of 'far-Right' has shifted in the last few decades, from violent bullying of political opponents and the subversion of democratic norms, to believing that you cannot change your biological sex. Much, though not all, of these culture war shenanigans have penetrated the previously comfortable political settlement in Scotland, where anything outside centre-Left opinion, as represented by the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, is seen as beyond the pale. The Scottish Conservatives are tolerated at Holyrood because they have never seriously challenged for office, nor are ever likely to, and they provide a handy contrast by which for lazy progressives can signal their many virtues. It's a cosy consensus just waiting to be blown apart, and Reform UK may be just about to do that. It was arrogant – but expected – for Yousaf to declare that Farage is unwelcome in Scotland. And of course, as has happened south of the border, all this attention given to Reform by politicians who sound increasingly desperate in their shrill warnings has done little to deter voters from supporting this most disruptive of new political forces. Has it ever occurred to the leaders of the SNP and Scottish Labour, I wonder, if they might consider their own policy and rhetorical failures as part of the reason that disgruntled voters might be turning to Reform? Rather than hosting 'anti-Right-wing summits' to warn poor, stupid, ignorant voters of the drawbacks of Farage and his party, might it be appropriate to try to recapture those voters' support by addressing their priorities? For some grandstanding MSPs and MPs, the rise of Reform is an excellent opportunity to remind voters which side they would have been on at Cable Street, even if the natural response to such assertions is: 'And?' And so a political class that already stands accused of forgetting how to talk like ordinary voters, who are no longer seen as concerned with the public's priorities, are compounding their mistakes by using hysterical language about a party that many Scots – by no means a majority or even a plurality, it has to be pointed out – might be considering flirting with at the ballot box. No one can say with any confidence who will win the Hamilton by-election on Thursday, although if I had to place hard-earned money on the outcome I'd say the SNP followed by Reform in second place. It could be any other combination of the leading three parties on the night. The point is that, at least for now, Reform is one of those leading parties, and I would caution any politician who, in Thursday's aftermath, might feel attempted to accuse local voters of racism or support for fascism. Worried politicians of the establishment parties love to attribute the rise of Reform to either the devilishly populist and dishonest rhetorical skills of Farage himself or to the ignorance of voters who never got a university degree, and are therefore uniquely vulnerable to Reform's message. Perhaps there needs to be an injection of honesty: the culprit who is guilty of the disillusion that has led to a public appetite for new solutions, new language and perhaps a new party, is staring back at them from their own mirrors.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Sarwar speaks of ‘guilt' of children having to experience attacks against him
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has spoken of the 'guilt' he feels as his children have to experience attacks against him. Mr Sarwar grew up as the son of a politician – the UK's first Muslim MP Muhammad Sarwar – and told journalists on Monday he had grown to normalise the racist attacks levelled against his family. In the campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, Mr Sarwar was the subject of an attack ad from Reform condemned as 'racist' by the party's opponents. The ad featured a 2020 speech where Mr Sarwar encouraged more people from a south Asian background to enter politics, but Reform accused him of 'prioritising' Pakistani people. Nigel Farage, speaking in Aberdeen on Monday, doubled down on the attack, saying the speech was 'sectarian in nature'. Asked how his family deals with racist attacks levelled at him throughout his career, the Scottish Labour leader told journalists in Hamilton: 'To be honest, it only motivates me and drives me, and makes me want to work even harder. 'I think what gives me a bit more perspective is there were similar kinds of attacks, not identical, but similar kinds of attacks when I was growing up and my father was trying to be a politician, when he was trying to get elected as the country's first Muslim MP, and there was threats, there was abuse, there was violence at that time. 'I think that probably has added resilience for me, and therefore it's water off a duck's back. 'I think the challenge is, where I feel a wee bit of guilt and where I feel a wee bit of trepidation, is the impact it has on my kids.' When his father sat as an MP between 1997 and 2010, Mr Sarwar said there were 'things that I accepted as normal that weren't normal' and his children will have to do the same. He added: 'I'm doing it for them, in the sense that I genuinely fear about what the future of Scotland is unless we get some fundamental change.'
Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Reform in ‘cat fight' with SNP and Labour to win Scottish by-election
Reform UK is in an 'absolute cat fight' with Labour and the SNP to win a bellwether Scottish by-election this week, Richard Tice said, ahead of a campaign visit by Nigel Farage. Mr Tice, Reform's deputy leader, told The Telegraph that the SNP remained 'hot favourites' to win Thursday's contest for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat in the Scottish Parliament. But, speaking ahead of a joint visit with Mr Farage, the Reform leader, to the constituency on Monday, he said they were 'chuckling at the apparent desperation' of Labour and the SNP over what to do about Reform. Between them, he said both parties had 'completely dominated' Scottish politics for decades and now appeared 'terrified'. The by-election is being viewed as a bellwether for next year's Scottish Parliament contest. First Minister John Swinney claimed last week that the Labour campaign had collapsed and the by-election was a straight fight between the SNP and Reform. However, Mr Tice said there was a 'lot of management of expectations' going on and Mr Swinney's ploy was to try and get Labour supporters to vote tactically for the SNP. The Boston and Skegness MP also said that he and Mr Farage would use a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday morning to provide more details on Reform's plan to scrap net-zero targets. Sir Keir Starmer's ban on further exploration in the North Sea is deeply unpopular in the north east of Scotland, where thousands of oil and gas workers are based. Mr Tice said Reform wanted to 'drill, Scotland, drill' and to 'change the course of direction for the Scottish oil and gas industry, and therefore the prospect of jobs and wealth creation.' Mr Farage's trip to Aberdeen and the by-election are his first campaign visits to Scotland for years, with Mr Tice saying he hoped it was a significant moment for the party. Although he failed to make a single trip north of the border during last year's general election, Reform still attracted seven per cent of the popular vote. Its support has surged over the past year and one poll has predicted it will be the second largest party at Holyrood after next year's election. Victory in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse would be Reform's first election win in Scotland. However, even a second-placed finish for Mr Farage's party would be humiliating for Labour. The by-election was supposed to be a straight fight between the SNP and Labour when it was called in mid-April, following the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie. But both parties' activists have been left surprised by the strength of support for Reform on the doorsteps and are worried that it could pull off an unlikely win. Mr Tice said: 'Obviously the SNP are hot favourites but we've also noticed a lot of chat (Reform could win). I know our team, are working very hard and let's see. 'These things work in riddles. For all we know there could be a lot of deliberate managing expectations by the SNP and Labour. It's hard to tell.' He said Reform has had a 'really good campaign' and it is 'about getting the vote out on the day.' However, he added: 'We're sort of chuckling at the apparent desperation from two parties that have completely dominated Scottish politics for the last three or four decades. And all of a sudden they're in an absolute cat fight. And they both seem to be terrified of Reform.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had accused Reform UK of 'dog whistle' racism over a campaign advert claiming he wants to 'prioritise the Pakistani community.' However, Reform has denied it is racist and insisted it was merely highlighting Mr Sarwar's own words, with Mr Farage accusing him of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics. Mr Swinney said: 'Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn't care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. 'In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland's future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage.' Stephen Flynn, the SNP's Westminster leader and Aberdeen South MP, added: 'He won't like the comparison, but it's the one he deserves - Nigel Farage is just as dangerous to Scotland's long-term energy and economic future as the activists who would shut down the oil and gas industry tomorrow. 'Those who work in the energy sector understand that there is an obvious path to follow that protects the oil and gas jobs of today whilst at the same time developing the net-zero jobs of tomorrow – and by doing so you can secure skills and investment for generations to come.'
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Farage has brought ‘racism and hatred' to Hamilton by-election, says Swinney
Nigel Farage has been accused of 'racism and hatred' by John Swinney in the last weekend of campaigning before polls open in the Hamilton by-election. The Scottish first minster hit out at the Reform UK leader, claiming he was a 'real threat' ahead of voting in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday. Advertisement Criticism has been levelled at Mr Farage's party after a Facebook ad claimed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was prioritising Pakistani people over Scots and included a section of a speech in which he encouraged more people from south Asian backgrounds to enter politics. Nigel Farage (Ben Whitley/PA) Addressing activists – including a number of MSPs, former MPs and candidates for the 2026 Holyrood election – in Hamilton on Saturday, Mr Swinney contrasted Reform UK with former minister Christina McKelvie, whose death prompted the by-election. 'This is a by-election that none of us wanted to be fighting, because it meant that we'd lost somebody we loved, Christina McKelvie, who was an individual that represented generosity, tolerance and inclusion,' he said. 'That was how she went about her work in this constituency and in Parliament, and that's the antithesis of what's been brought into this by-election campaign by the politics of Nigel Farage, who's brought racism and hatred right into the heart of this community, and it is repugnant. Advertisement 'We are going to stand up to it in every way we can.' In response to journalists, the first minister said he was not concerned about defamation claims stemming from his allegations of racism against Mr Farage. When the by-election was called, it was widely seen as a two-horse race between the SNP's Katy Loudon and Labour's Davy Russell, but recent weeks have seen a surge in fortune for Mr Farage's party. Speaking to the PA news agency after his speech, the first minister said it is 'very clear' that Labour is 'out of this contest' and it is now 'between the SNP and Farage'. Advertisement 'I want to make sure that Farage's politics don't get any hold in Scotland, they are damaging,' he said. In his speech, the first minister repeatedly referenced Mr Farage, but when asked if he was increasing the chance of Reform gaining a foothold by paying the party's leader so much attention, Mr Swinney said: 'I've just got to make sure that people in this constituency are aware of the threat that Farage poses in this election. 'If Farage gets in here, then you know the agenda of NHS privatisation is what will follow, the agenda of undermining the Scottish Parliament will follow, because that's what he believes in.' Elsewhere in Hamilton on Saturday, Reform UK's candidate Ross Lambie gathered activists ahead of a canvassing session, including some bussed into the constituency from the north of England. Advertisement Speaking to journalists, Mr Lambie was asked why the parties believed to be the frontrunners at the beginning of the campaign were spending so much time on Reform. 'They're doing their canvassing and they're getting the same results as we are, that's why,' he said. He added: 'We are super proud that we're not being pigeon-holed with any particular voter and we're not being boxed into certain aspects of the community. 'We're getting votes from across the area. Advertisement 'If you were to chat to these volunteers, you'll find some of them were SNP voters in the past, many of them were Labour voters, Conservative voters. 'So that's the thing we're most proud of, that we're breaking down those old barriers in Scottish politics.' Anas Sarwar (Andrew Milligan/PA) Mr Sarwar said Labour is still in the race for the seat in Thursday's vote. 'It's between ourselves and the SNP, every single vote is going to count,' he told PA on Saturday. 'That's why, if you want to beat the SNP, if you want a local champion, if you want to start that pathway to a new direction, the best way of doing that is to vote for one of your own – vote for Davy Russell.' The Labour leader also accused the first minister of 'talking up Reform for a very, very long time', an assertion Mr Swinney rejects, while saying he would 'call out Nigel Farage's poison'.
