Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is gearing up to expand his presence in Scotland following the party’s recent success in local elections in England. With over 600 seats gained and control of 10 local authorities secured, Reform UK is looking to capitalize on this momentum. Thomas Kerr, a Reform councillor in Glasgow who defected from the Tories in January, expressed the party’s intentions to further establish itself in Scotland, with Nigel Farage taking a leading role in the campaign.
Projections indicate that Reform UK is poised to make significant gains in next year’s Holyrood elections and potentially secure their first MSPs. Farage stated in interviews with Sunday newspapers that he will be making more frequent trips to Scotland in the lead-up to the June by-election for the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse seat. Despite not having a Scottish leader, the party aims to make a strong impact in the region, with Kerr emphasizing Farage’s enthusiasm for engaging with Scottish voters and spreading the party’s message.
The recent surge of Reform UK in English elections has not gone unnoticed by politicians in Holyrood. Concerns about the party’s potential impact have been circulating among the main parties in Scotland. In last year’s general election, Reform garnered 7% of the Scottish vote, with current polling data indicating a growing support base that could affect the traditional dominance of Conservatives and Labour. The upcoming by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse will serve as an important test for Reform UK to convert polling support into tangible electoral success.
While Nigel Farage’s past visits to Scotland have been met with protests, Reform UK’s consistent performance in local by-elections suggests a strong showing that could translate into parliamentary seats. As the party gains popularity, a gathering of leaders led by First Minister John Swinney has been viewed as a response to the rise of Reform UK. With the upcoming by-election on June 5th following the unfortunate passing of SNP’s Christina McKelvie, Kerr remains optimistic about the party’s growing momentum, pointing to previous electoral successes as indicators of a shifting tide towards Reform UK
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