THE vast majority of Scots believe that the growth of Reform UK has made far-right extremists “more confident” to express their views, according to a new poll.
In an exclusive survey carried out by Find Out Now for The National, 74% of Scots made that claim, with just 23% saying that it “made no difference”, and just 4% saying it made the far-right “less confident”.
It comes as the party led by Nigel Farage – and its Scottish branch led by Malcolm Offord – have come under fire over its ties with far-right vigilante groups.
One of its Glasgow councillors, Audrey Dempsey, was condemned after speaking at a far-right rally and protest organised by Unite The Clans last month.
Fifteen people were arrested on the day, with a 29-year-old man since charged with racially-aggravated assault. There were also images of protesters doing Nazi salutes on the day.
The National also revealed that Dempsey has “advised” the vigilante group Scots Active.
Meanwhile, the party’s Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr has also been widely panned for a “sickening” walkabout video in Glasgow.
In the same poll of over 1000 Scots, a majority also expressed concern about the overall growth of far-right politics in Scotland.
This included 32% being very concerned and 31% fairly concerned. Meanwhile, 21% were not very concerned and 17% not at all concerned.
The Scottish Greens has said that the growth of the far-right has been “terrifying for so many people”.
“Masked men shouting abuse, intimidating communities and giving Nazi salutes should never become normal. Yet that is what we have seen on the streets of our cities,” the party’s MSP Maggie Chapman said.
“There are many reasons for this rise, from years of cuts and a brutal cost-of-living crisis to social media giants profiting from algorithms that push people towards hate.
“But we cannot ignore the role of Reform and its backers, whose politics of division have helped embolden and empower hateful groups. They are the canary down the racist coalmine. They want to spread fear and turn neighbour against neighbour by blaming migrants and other minorities for problems they did not create.”
She added: “The answer to anger and insecurity is investment in our communities, decent jobs, affordable homes, properly funded public services and a politics that brings people together rather than tearing them apart.
“The Scottish Greens will stand up to racism, fascism and hatred on our streets and in our parliament and will keep fighting for a Scotland where everyone can live with dignity, safety and hope.”
Reform UK have been approached for comment.
