26-05-2025
Protesters poised to target Nigel Farage's visit to Scotland
The Reform UK leader is planning to hit the campaign trail in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election next week – but will be given an 'anti-racist welcome' by campaigners.
A group chat has been created to coordinate the protest, given that the exact date and location for his visit is not yet known.
The chat, which was set up by Stand Up to Racism and has 11 members, features the following description: 'Nigel Farage is claiming that he intends to come up to Scotland to campaign in the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhill [sic] and Stonehouse MSP by-election despite last year telling us that coming to Scotland was 'unsafe' for him.
READ MORE: Stand-off breaks out between pro-trans activists and police
'Let's use this group to make sure that once we know when and where Farage plans to come and visit, we're able to arrange the sort of anti-racist welcome he deserves!'
Farage's visit will be his first north of the Border since he attended a campaign event for the Brexit Party in 2019.
His visit to Edinburgh in 2013 descended into chaos after the former Ukip leader had to take refuge in a pub in the Royal Mile after he was protested by independence supporters.
The Reform MP had to be rescued by police in a riot van.
Other campaign visits have posed difficulties for Farage. In last year's election campaign, OnlyFans model Victoria Thomas Bowen threw a milkshake over his head as he left a Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
Farage would go on to win the seat while Thomas Bowen was later handed a £600 fine and a 120 community service order but dodged jail.
He also had a milkshake thrown at him during a campaign visit to Newcastle upon Tyne in May 2019.
READ MORE: UK government 'insisted' on intervening in Gaza genocide row at Scottish university
Police had asked a McDonald's in Edinburgh not to sell milkshakes when Farage was in the city that year, which prompted Burger King to tweet: 'Dear people of Scotland. We're selling milkshakes all weekend.'
The fast food chain was rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority for the post, which the organisation said was 'irresponsible'.
The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election is seen as a three-way race between the SNP, who are defending the seat after the death of incumbent Christina McKelvie, Scottish Labour and Reform UK.
Reform UK were approached for comment.
