Some Scots may be surprised at the anti-immigration protests at Napier University’s Sighthill Campus. After all, Nationalism should mean something different in Scotland. Scottish nationalists pride themselves on the belief that when separated from the UK, especially, let’s be frank, England, Scotland will be better off. The SNP, as Scotland’s nationalist leaders, reject ethnic nationalism; anyone can be a Scot. It is no wonder that Scotland feels exempt from the right-wing tidal wave.
However, after two people were stabbed by 23-year-old Mustafa Kokoneh, the Scottish left must notice the supposedly English phenomenon swimming up to their shores. I’m sure Reform Scotland will not appreciate the metaphor.
Anti-immigration protestors swarmed Edinburgh with their tinfoil hats screwed on a bit too tight and draped in seemingly endless layers of black. Twilight meet ups, clouds of vape smoke, and balaclavas. I’m sure this description will give everyone violent high school flashbacks.
Reform’s regulars quickly ran away from their champagne parties and sat in front of their screens with a shandy.
“Patriots hit the streets of Edinburgh tonight,” typed Tommy Robinson, sitting in a luxury Spanish villa, which he stays in using his Irish passport, in his St George’s Cross decorated boots, pins, hat, scarf, socks, gloves, t-shirt and boxers.
Reform UK’s Scottish leader, Lord Malcolm Offord, however, has tripped into the political spotlight by claiming that it was possible to “tell by the photographs” that the stabbing perpetrator was an immigrant.
Political commentators have rightfully condemned this comment as racist. While undoubtedly Offord was motivated by his prejudices, as is often the case with Reform, this motivation is insincere. Just as a hyena is happy to see a wounded antelope, Reform is overjoyed to see a community grieve. Offord will gorge on the local people’s anger and leave behind a vengeful Edinburgh with an even fuller belly.
Offord denied that the Glaswegian mob, the North2south community patrol group, were vigilantes; they’d be his ideal Reform UK canvassers. The Sighthill shit-stirrers would also be a perfect fit.
While the new nationalist battle of Britain rages on, Scotland is faring better than Wales, but what’s new? On the day of the stabbing, Labour was predicted to win 20 per cent of the constituency vote, putting Reform at third place with 16 per cent. Although Reform has a foothold in Scotland, its grip is weak. Reform’s blood runs red, not blue. A nationalist party that doesn’t support the Scottish nationalist movement is one at odds with voters. Despite this, Reform’s engine runs on rhetoric, and these anti-immigration protests show that they have a full tank.
Whether an arthritis ridden Labour party can beat a fledgling Reform party in an election sprint is a question I am fairly certain of. They cannot. Reform’s capacity to not only inspire but to mobilise will make it the most influential, if not the most successful, party in the upcoming Holyrood election.
“Sighthill” by neate photos is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Reform UK Feeds Off of Tragedy
Some Scots may be surprised at the anti-immigration protests at Napier University’s Sighthill Campus. After all, Nationalism should mean something different in Scotland. Scottish nationalists pride themselves on the belief that when separated from the UK, especially, let’s be frank, England, Scotland will be better off. The SNP, as Scotland’s nationalist leaders, reject ethnic nationalism; anyone can be a Scot. It is no wonder that Scotland feels exempt from the right-wing tidal wave.
However, after two people were stabbed by 23-year-old Mustafa Kokoneh, the Scottish left must notice the supposedly English phenomenon swimming up to their shores. I’m sure Reform Scotland will not appreciate the metaphor.
Anti-immigration protestors swarmed Edinburgh with their tinfoil hats screwed on a bit too tight and draped in seemingly endless layers of black. Twilight meet ups, clouds of vape smoke, and balaclavas. I’m sure this description will give everyone violent high school flashbacks.
Reform’s regulars quickly ran away from their champagne parties and sat in front of their screens with a shandy.
“Patriots hit the streets of Edinburgh tonight,” typed Tommy Robinson, sitting in a luxury Spanish villa, which he stays in using his Irish passport, in his St George’s Cross decorated boots, pins, hat, scarf, socks, gloves, t-shirt and boxers.
Reform UK’s Scottish leader, Lord Malcolm Offord, however, has tripped into the political spotlight by claiming that it was possible to “tell by the photographs” that the stabbing perpetrator was an immigrant.
Political commentators have rightfully condemned this comment as racist. While undoubtedly Offord was motivated by his prejudices, as is often the case with Reform, this motivation is insincere. Just as a hyena is happy to see a wounded antelope, Reform is overjoyed to see a community grieve. Offord will gorge on the local people’s anger and leave behind a vengeful Edinburgh with an even fuller belly.
Offord denied that the Glaswegian mob, the North2south community patrol group, were vigilantes; they’d be his ideal Reform UK canvassers. The Sighthill shit-stirrers would also be a perfect fit.
While the new nationalist battle of Britain rages on, Scotland is faring better than Wales, but what’s new? On the day of the stabbing, Labour was predicted to win 20 per cent of the constituency vote, putting Reform at third place with 16 per cent. Although Reform has a foothold in Scotland, its grip is weak. Reform’s blood runs red, not blue. A nationalist party that doesn’t support the Scottish nationalist movement is one at odds with voters. Despite this, Reform’s engine runs on rhetoric, and these anti-immigration protests show that they have a full tank.
Whether an arthritis ridden Labour party can beat a fledgling Reform party in an election sprint is a question I am fairly certain of. They cannot. Reform’s capacity to not only inspire but to mobilise will make it the most influential, if not the most successful, party in the upcoming Holyrood election.
“Sighthill” by neate photos is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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