Stand Up To Racism called an emergency march after far right Reform UK got 17 candidates elected to the Scottish parliament
By Emma Edwards in Glasgow
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Sunday 10 May 2026
Marchers shut down the city centre in solidarity with neighbours, friends and workmates targeted by the far right (Pic: SUTRScotland on X)
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow on Saturday in an emergency anti-racist mobilisation after Reform UK’s breakthrough in the local elections.
The march was called by Stand Up to Racism (SUTR). Demonstrators gathered at McLennan Arch before marching to Buchanan Street for a rally with music from Cabaret Against Hate.
Nigel Farage’s far right party made major gains in England on Thursday. In Scotland, Reform UK also saw increased support. But the Scottish National Party remained the largest party.
Reform UK won 17 seats in the Scottish parliament. Two of its candidates, Thomas Kerr and Kim Schmulian, were elected to represent the Glasgow region.
In response, more than 600 people joined the Glasgow march to demand an end to racist scapegoating. Marchers carried banners reading “Farage not welcome in Scotland” and “No to racism, refugees welcome” as shoppers and workers stopped to watch. Marchers argued that years of austerity and anti-migrant rhetoric from mainstream parties have helped fuel Reform UK’s rise.
Speakers attacked the anti-migrant party’s attempts to weaponise women’s safety to justify racism.
Katy, co-convenor of Women Against the Far Right Scotland, said, “Reform UK exploits the issue of systemic abuse and violence towards women to shift the blame to migrants, men of colour and Muslims.
“If they really do care so much about women, why don’t they have any serious policies for combating domestic violence?
“Why did they vote against the Employment Rights Bill that prevents workplace sexual harassment? Why have they promised to scrap the Equality Act? Reform UK is the danger to women.”
SUTR organiser Hector Sierra said anti-racists would continue organising in workplaces and communities against the rise of the far right.
“We say to Reform UK, don’t believe for a moment that being elected into parliament makes you untouchable or respectable,” he told the rally. “We are going to be the leaders of the opposition. We are going to set the agenda on the streets.”