Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Glasgow on Saturday as part of a “day of rage against Reform UK” following the party’s major gains in recent local elections across Scotland and England.
The protest comes after Nigel Farage’s party emerged as a growing political force, becoming the joint second-largest party at Holyrood alongside Labour.
In England, Reform UK secured more than 1,350 council seats and gained control of 14 local authorities, including eight previously led by Labour.
Campaigners gathered at McLennan Arch on Saturday morning before marching through Glasgow city centre towards the top of Buchanan Street.
Organisers said the demonstration was intended to oppose what they described as divisive politics and rising support for the far right.
Stand Up to Racism campaigner Zamard Zahid said: “This is our chance as the people of Scotland to unite and send a strong message that we reject the hateful and divisive politics of Reform and the far right, that we choose to celebrate diversity and not fear it.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK Scotland’s newly appointed deputy leader, Thomas Kerr, criticised the protest and said campaigners were ignoring the real concerns facing the public.
“While ordinary people in Glasgow are worried about our housing crisis, increased pressures on public services and the cost of living crisis, the political activist class spent Saturday marching through the streets in a so-called ‘day of rage’ against Reform UK,” he said.
Kerr added that the party would not be intimidated by protests or attempts to silence its supporters.
“We believe in free speech, secure borders, accountable government, and putting the interests of ordinary British people first and no amount of shouting on the streets of Glasgow will change that,” he added.