NIGEL Farage was branded a ‘s*******’ by anti-racism protesters at the Reform Party’s inaugural Scottish conference in Perth.
The conference, held at The Royal George Hotel, had deputy leader Richard Tice and party chair Zia Yusuf as keynote speakers. A Reform Party source estimated that over 300 people attended the conference.
Farage has not visited Scotland since he became leader of the Reform Party. He previously stated that he does not feel safe north of the Border after Edinburgh protesters in 2013 forced him to seek refuge in a police riot van.
The party claims he will come to Scotland “in due course”.
The protest, led by Perth Against Racism, rallied outside of the hotel in the early evening. Protesters came carrying signs reading “Build bridges not walls” and “Reform what? The truth?”.
The crowd could be heard singing along to Common People by Pulp and took part in chants exclaiming: “Say it loud and say it clear: refugees are welcome here."
Catriona MacKay, Perth Against Racism co-founder, told The National that Reform “enables racism in their views. They’re a populist party. Whatever people believe, they will back".
She added: “We object to their policies. We need immigration, we need migrants, and we should not be scared of people running away from war and fleeing persecution. They are not the enemy.”
Current polling predicts that Reform may win up to 14 seats in the Scottish Parliament, including Mid Scotland and Fife, which includes Perth.
Mackay added: “I find that really scary, which is why we and all the other anti racism groups will be working the next two years to highlight the deficiencies in their party.”
Speakers at the protest included local poet Joseph Monro and former STUC president Mike Arnott.
During his time on stage, Monro mocked the party’s manifesto, scandals and leading figures, taking particular issue with the party’s objective to restore traditional family values.
He said: “[They say] Britain has some of the highest marital breakdowns in the world. I’m sure you’re aware, Mr Farage, after your second divorce. Richard Tice, who is also divorced and Mr James McMurdock, a bastion of traditional family values who was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend when he was 19.”
Reform UK have been approached for comment.
