Latest news with #Reform
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Reform candidate rejects racism claims after Sarwar video row
The party has faced widespread criticism for its portrayal of the Scottish Labour leader. The Facebook and Instagram advert uses heavily edited footage from a 2022 speech by Mr Sarwar in which he called for greater South Asian representation in politics. READ MORE The clip — which has been viewed more than 800,000 times — included a caption claiming Mr Sarwar wanted to 'prioritise the Pakistani community', a phrase he did not use. Both Scottish Labour and the SNP have described the video as racist and called on Meta — the company that owns the social media platforms — to remove it. Mr Sarwar, who was born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents, ha challenged Mr Farage to a public debate. 'Ask your chauffeur to put Hamilton into Google Maps,' he said during a BBC interview on Wednesday. 'Come up here. I will challenge him anytime, any place in Hamilton, any town hall — and he can challenge me on his views. I will challenge him on his views.' He branded the Reform UK leader a 'pathetic, poisonous, little man'. Mr Farage is due to visit Scotland on Monday, and will be making a speech in Aberdeen in the morning. He is also expected to join the campaign. Asked about the video, Ross Lambie told The Herald: 'Reform's position on this has always been that we believe in merit. 'People should get positions of power, promotion and work because of their merit. It should not matter what age they are, whether a man or a woman, or what ethnicity they are. 'Whereas the SNP and Labour have gone down this rabbit hole of DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] and want to try and socially engineer the makeup of companies, governments and councils. We just do not believe in that.' He added: 'My wife is an immigrant. She worked for the BBC at one point. She is from a Muslim country. I have a mixed-race daughter. You judge Reform based on the people in it — like me, from a working-class background, my parents are from the council estate just down the road.' READ MORE Voters in the constituency go to the polls on Thursday in the by-election triggered by the death of the SNP's Christina McKelvie. Last night, First Minister John Swinney claimed the vote was now a 'straight contest' between the SNP and Mr Farage's party. In comments issued ahead of a campaign visit to Hamilton, he said: 'Labour have let people across Scotland down, and they have quite clearly given up on this by-election. 'Thursday's vote is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage — and I am urging people to reject the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage and to unite behind the SNP.' Scottish Labour rejected the claim they had conceded the seat. eputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said the constituency remained a two-horse race between Labour and the SNP. She said Reform 'cannot win here', adding: 'This is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise. 'This weekend, Scottish Labour campaigners will be talking to voters the length and breadth of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse so we can deliver a new direction for this community and elect local champion Davy Russell.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Find all articles on the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
Initially, this looked like a two-way contest between SNP and Labour, but Reform UK have thrown everything at winnng over disaffected voters. The outcome could reshape Scotland's political map and offer clues about how the parties will fare at next year's Holyrood election. On this page, you'll find all of The Herald's in-depth reporting, interviews, analysis and opinion on the Hamilton by-election, including candidate profiles, campaign developments, and what's being said on the doorstep. We'll update this hub throughout the campaign — and through the night as the results come in. Explainer: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Why voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are heading to the polls — and why this by-election could send shockwaves through Scottish politics. Hamilton by-election preview: candidates set out their stalls Profiles and strategies from the Hamilton by-election front-runners, plus insight on the seat's political history and campaign dynamics. Reform support in Hamilton should worry other parties On the streets of Hamilton: voters voice frustration — and many say they are turning to Reform UK. SNP will be the winner as Reform outflanks Labour from the left Neil Mackay on Labour's identity crisis — and how Farage is stealing its clothes while the SNP reaps the rewards. Reform can 'win Hamilton by-election and take power' in HolyroodRichard Tice tells The Herald why Reform UK believes it can win in Hamilton — and reshape Scottish politics from Holyrood to Westminster. Reform support in Hamilton should worry other parties On the streets of Hamilton: voters voice frustration — and many say they are turning to Reform UK. SNP will be the winner as Reform outflanks Labour from the left Neil Mackay on Labour's identity crisis — and how Farage is stealing its clothes while the SNP reaps the rewards. Tory candidate defends Orange Order and Apprentice Boys links "We are law-abiding organisations. We pledge allegiance to His Majesty the King. And, you know, we are not divisive at all, and people have their right to their own religion.' Farage defends Reform UK by-election ad branded racist Nigel Farage has accused Anas Sarwar of 'introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics.' Labour by-election candidate denies he has hindered campaign Scottish Labour's by-election candidate has rubbished claims he has a 'low profile.' Anas Sarwar challenges Nigel Farage to debate in Hamilton The Scottish Labour leader said the Brexiteer was a 'pathetic, poisonous, little man'.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Anas Sarwar blasts 'toxic little man' Nigel Farage and says Reform cannot win Hamilton by-election
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Labour leader accused Nigel Farage of being a "poisonous, pathetic and toxic little man", as well as a 'coward' and 'charlatan'. Anas Sarwar has blasted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as a 'toxic little man' as he backed Labour to win a bitter Holyrood by-election. The Scottish Labour leader rejected claims Reform can win Thursday's crunch vote and laid into Farage as a 'coward' and 'charlatan'. Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will elect their new MSP on June 5th after one of the ugliest by-elections in decades. The SNP and Labour were believed to be locked in a two horse race early on, but anti-immigration Reform are also in the hunt. Farage 's party was accused of taking the contest into the gutter over an online advert which claimed Sarwar would prioritise Pakistani communities. SNP leader John Swinney then said the by-election is now a 'straight contest' between his party and Reform. He made the claim after Labour by-election Davy Russell was accused of hiding from the media. In an open letter to voters, Sarwar dismissed the First Minister's framing and rubbished the idea Reform UK are contenders: 'Don't believe the spin and the nonsense of John Swinney - this by-election is a two horse race between Scottish Labour and the SNP. Reform can't win here. 'Throughout this by-election campaign, Reform have tried every dirty trick in the book to drive a wedge to divide this community - but I know you will see right through it. 'They know they can't win - they don't care about beating the SNP, all they care about is getting attention . ' Nigel Farage is a poisonous, pathetic and toxic little man that doesn't understand this community or our country." On the Reform advert, which Labour and the SNP say is racist, he wrote: 'He and his cronies in Reform have spent thousands of pounds spreading bile, misinformation and racial slurs. Scotland is my home. I was born here. I am raising my children here. And I was proud to work in Scotland's NHS, serving one of our most deprived communities. 'While I am seeking to unite and change our country after 18 years of SNP failure, Nigel Farage wants to divide us. He left the Tories because they weren't Right Wing enough for him - but now that former president of the Margaret Thatcher Appreciation Society claims to be the great champion of working people in Scotland. 'Like every other plastic hard man he shrank from the challenge. He is a charlatan and a coward who knows nothing and cares less about this community.' In his open letter, Sarwar said the by-election is between Labour and the SNP, not Reform and Swinney's party: 'The truth is Reform can't win in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and they can't win in Scotland. They can't beat the SNP and they have already admitted that they are aiming for third place.' He concluded: 'The SNP has failed you. Reform can't win in Scotland. And only Scottish Labour's Davy Russell can beat the SNP.' Swinney claimed the by-election is a two horse race between Reform and the SNP in an open letter of his own to Labour voters this week. When the Record broke the story over the 'racist' advert earlier in the campaign, Reform had spent around £8,000 on it. According to Meta, which owns Facebook, the total spend is now between £15,000 and £20,000. An SNP source said: "This is desperate spin from a Scottish Labour Leader who knows his party's campaign has been dreadful. "This by-election is a two horse race between the SNP and Reform. On 5th June, only a vote for the SNP will put Scotland first and stop Farage."
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Thousands of Britain's biggest jobless families in line for taxpayer-funded windfalls if Labour or Reform go through with plans to lift two-child benefit cap
Thousands of Britain's biggest jobless families could receive huge windfalls from the taxpayer under plans to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Labour and Reform are both pushing to ditch the policy brought in by the Tories in 2017 despite the £3.5billion cost it would incur. Critics of the cap claim it has worsened child poverty. But analysis of official figures shows that ditching it would hand thousands of pounds a year in extra benefits to 180,000 large families in which no one goes out to work. Former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey last night said the figures underlined the case for keeping the cap in place. 'Encouraging people to have children that they cannot afford themselves, and expecting others to pick up the tab for them, is financially and morally indefensible,' she said. 'I expect nothing better from Labour, but it is a mistake for Nigel Farage to chase Labour to the Left.' Ms McVey said it was 'bizarre' for Reform to want to 'expand the welfare state in this way' after voting against lifting the cap in a ballot on the King's Speech last summer. She said the Tories were now the only party 'standing up for taxpayers and for common sense in this matter', echoing comments made by party leader Kemi Badenoch in this newspaper yesterday. The benefit cap limits means-tested benefits like universal credit and child tax credit payments to the first two children, costing families a typical £3,455 in lost benefits for each additional child. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated the two-child cap costs affected families an average of £4,300 each. Figures, produced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), show that more than 450,000 families were affected by the cap last year. Around three-fifths (280,000) had three children, while a quarter (120,000) had four children and 56,000 had five or more. The DWP does not provide a breakdown of payments to the biggest families. But separate figures held by HM Revenue and Customs show that child benefit, which is not subject to the cap, was paid to more than 16,000 families with six children, more than 5,000 with seven children and even to 15 families with 13 children or more. Of the 450,000 families affected in total, around three-fifths include at least one adult who is in some form of work. This leaves around 180,000 where no one in the household is in any kind of paid work. The figures will fuel the growing political debate over whether to soften the impact of the cap or ditch it altogether. They come a day after Mrs Badenoch accused Labour and Reform of engaging in a 'race to the bottom' over welfare. The Tory leader said it was wrong to ask taxpayers, 'many of whom are struggling to raise their own children or choosing not to have them in the first place, to fund unlimited child support for others'. She added: 'Welfare traps people, builds dependency and it drives up costs for everyone.' Opinion polls show consistent public support for the cap. But the Conservatives are now the only major party defending the policy. Dozens of Labour MPs are pushing for the cap to be scrapped as part of a review into tackling child poverty, which has now been delayed until the autumn. One minister told the Mail there was a 'widespread feeling at all levels of the party that it is wrong to be penalising children in this way'. Sir Keir Starmer, who is facing a wider Labour revolt on welfare, confirmed this week that the Government is looking at 'all options' to tackle child poverty, including ending the cap. Other, cheaper options being considered by ministers include raising the cap to the first three children or removing it for all children until the age of five. Gordon Brown is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to consider new taxes on gambling and the banks to fund the removal of the 'cruel' cap. Mr Farage raised eyebrows this week when he announced that a Reform-led government would ditch the cap completely. The Reform leader – who is targeting disaffected Labour voters – said his party backed the move 'not because we support a benefits culture' but in order to help families struggling to make ends meet. The cap applies to third and additional children born after April 2017 when the policy was introduced. As a result, the number of affected families is increasing every year. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said it was eventually likely to affect 800,000 families.
Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Starmer faces Scottish revolt over welfare cuts as by-election looms
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a revolt from Scottish MPs over welfare cuts amid concerns that Reform is poised to secure a breakthrough in a critical by-election next week. Senior Labour figures are braced for the party to finish third behind the SNP and Reform in the Holyrood by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse. Government whips have been warned by Scottish MPs that they will not back reforms to disability benefits and wider welfare overhauls as a result. A senior government source told The Times: 'The Hamilton loss will have some serious implications. We're about to get quite considerably humped in the by-election and it will ripple through the Scottish parliamentary Labour Party. 'It sounds like it's really rubbish on the ground and, when we lose, are the Scottish MPs really going to traipse through the lobbies to back us on welfare cuts? It's an SNP seat but it looks like Reform will at least come second, pushing us into third.' The Hamilton by-election was triggered by the death of the SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March. Although she had a 4,582 majority over Labour, she won the seat in 2021 when SNP were high in the polls. It is a seat that Labour would be expected to win if it is to have any hope of forming a government in the Holyrood elections next year. Instead, Labour strategists fear the party's candidate, Davy Russell, could be pushed into third place behind the SNP and Reform. The Reform candidate, Ross Lambie, joined the party in March, having defected from the Conservatives. However, senior Labour sources loyal to Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, insisted that they remain locked in a two-horse race with the SNP and say claims they are certain to fall behind Reform are misguided. Insiders believe Scottish MPs will blame Starmer's decision to cut winter fuel payments for all but the most vulnerable of pensioners for the result in Hamilton and some are considering making their opposition to forthcoming cuts public. 'Something pretty radical is going to have to change off the back of this result for me to change my mind,' one said. The government is increasingly concerned that any concessions offered to welfare rebels will fall on deaf ears, as those planning to defy the whip sense 'safety in numbers'. The Times revealed on Monday that disability benefit claimants could get more time to seek new support before the £3.4 billion cuts are imposed, in an attempt to soften the blow and provide an 'off-ramp' for those who could otherwise vote against the government. Other tweaks being considered include the potential expansion of free school meals to cover more children, while there are ongoing discussions around the two-child benefit cap before a report due in the autumn from the government's child poverty taskforce. Starmer has also committed himself to partially reversing the cuts to winter fuel payments. However, senior sources told The Times that although they did not expect the number of potential rebels to increase much further, 'everyone is pretty entrenched and it's safety in numbers'. They added: 'There are three figures worth of them so it's quite difficult to peel them off individually at this point.' Labour's Scottish MPs were said to have been particularly angry in their questioning of Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on winter fuel and welfare during a meeting of MPs last week. In contrast to the Westminster government, Holyrood announced in November that every Scottish pensioner household would receive a winter fuel payment this year. One source said there were 'increasing divisions' within Labour's parliamentary party in Westminster, with many of the party's 37 Scottish MPs concerned that the government was not paying sufficient attention to next year's Holyrood elections. They are particularly concerned about the impact on their prospects from the government's welfare reform package. About 433,050 people — or about eight per cent of the population in Scotland — receive adult disability payments, the Scottish equivalent of personal independent payments (PIP). Any reduction on PIP spending by the Treasury would have a knock-on effect on the Scottish government's budget to fund these payments. On Saturday, a busload of about 40 Reform activists will arrive in Hamilton from Runcorn, returning the favour after a Scottish delegation travelled south to help Sarah Pochin overturn a 14,696 Labour majority earlier this month. Although Farage's camp expects to deploy 100 foot soldiers in total, Labour insists it will have twice that number campaigning in Hamilton. 'We are still neck and neck with the SNP,' a senior Labour source said from the constituency. 'We have a well-oiled machine, we know exactly who to target and how. Reform are loud but they don't know what they're doing. 'There is not a chance we will finish third'.
