Reform UK has been accused of “blatant racism” over a social-media ad targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in the build-up to the South Lanarkshire by-election.
📹 “Prioritise the Pakistani community”? The offending video stitches together clips of Sarwar—born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents—speaking about South Asian political representation. Reform’s caption, however, claims he will “prioritise the Pakistani community”—a word Sarwar never utters.
⚡ Sarwar fights back The Scottish Labour leader slammed the stunt as a “deliberate dog whistle”:
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“It seeks to question my identity, question my loyalty and question my belonging in Scotland… For them to play this kind of campaign, I think demonstrates the kind of people they are.”
His spokesperson added it was a “blatantly racist advert… that attempts to question the identity, loyalty and belonging of Anas Sarwar.”
🤥 Reform UK refuses to budge Reform UK Scotland’s spokesman retorted:
“Reform UK has advertised Anas Sarwar’s own words, if he doesn’t like them, he shouldn’t use them… we’ll be happy to highlight his record at every turn.”
The ad, live on Facebook and Instagram since 12 May at a cost of up to £9,000, has racked up nearly half a million views.
🌐 Political firestorm Across the spectrum, anger erupted. The SNP condemned attempts to “provoke division and marginalise communities,” the Lib Dems decried “scummy tactics,” and the Greens called it a “despicable” ploy. Sarwar’s Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on 5 June just got a whole lot more heated.
