Election results show that far right ideas must be challenged not copied
Reform UK’s by-election win and growth in the English local election is a klaxon warning underlining the dangers of Labour’s complacency and the importance of Scottish independence, say the Scottish Greens.
Some polls point to the prospect of a Reform government across the UK without a single Scottish MP.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said:
“The threat of a future far right government led by Nigel Farage and Reform is possible, and the polls suggest it could happen without them winning a single MP in Scotland.
“The last thing we need is the dangerous populism of a Reform Party that would gladly decimate public services, trash our environment and only act in the interests of its wealthy friends and donors.
“There is no doubt that their rise has also been fuelled by a failing Labour government that promised change but is choosing to cut even deeper than the Tories.
“They have failed to offer the bold policies that are needed or the change that they promised. They could introduce a wealth tax on the super-rich which could restore Winter Fuel Payments, end the cuts against disabled people and allow us to invest in public services like schools and hospitals that we all rely on.
“Instead of offering hope, they are echoing the toxic ideas of the right, which will only make the threat ever more real. They are telling people that even after 14 years of Tory rule, things can only get worse.
“Reform is not offering solutions. We know what they stand for, we saw it as Brexit increased prices on essential goods for everyone, cost jobs all over our country and curtailed people's freedom to live and travel abroad.
“People shouldn’t have to choose between a Labour government that is punishing disabled people and a Reform Party that stands for scapegoating and conspiracy theories. Our communities deserve so much better than that.
“With the powers of a normal independent country we could take a fundamentally different path, deliver the real transformative change and build the fairer and greener future that is so badly needed.”