Reform UK’s newly elected MP for Runcorn and Helsby, Sarah Pochin, found herself on the back foot when challenged on Times Radio about a social-media advert that has been widely condemned as “blatantly racist.” The video in question targets Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar ahead of next week’s Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
📹 The offending advert The online video stitches together clips of Sarwar—born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents—speaking about the need for more South Asian representation in politics. Reform’s caption overlays the footage with the claim that Sarwar will “prioritise the Pakistani community,” a word he never utters. Labour’s spokesperson labelled it:
“A blatantly racist advert from Reform UK that attempts to question the identity, loyalty and belonging of Anas Sarwar.”
Meta’s ad library shows the post has been live on Facebook and Instagram since 12 May, amassing around 500,000 views.
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❓ Pochin’s evasive response On Times Radio, presenter Rosie Wright confronted Pochin:
“This advert posted by Reform UK claimed that the Scottish Labour leader had promised to prioritise the Pakistani community. Well, he doesn’t say that. Instead he said actually there needed to be more Pakistani representation. What went wrong here in the creation of that video?”
Pochin tried to deflect:
“Let me be quite clear for your listeners and viewers; I haven’t seen that video. I cannot comment on that video because I haven’t seen it.”
Pressed further, she insisted:
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“There is nothing racist about Reform UK. I would not be associated with a party that was the least bit racist.”
“I would not be associated with a party that was in the least bit racist.”
🤝 Reform UK’s defence A Reform UK Scotland spokesman doubled down, telling HuffPost UK:
“Reform UK has advertised Anas Sarwar’s own words, if he doesn’t like them, he shouldn’t use them. We know Scottish Labour is ashamed of Keir Starmer’s rhetoric, but it appears now they’re also trying to hide from Anas Sarwar’s record – we’ll be happy in helping them by highlighting his record at every turn.”
⚠️ Cross-party backlash
Scottish Labour: Called it a “deliberate dog whistle… questioning his loyalty.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats: Decried “scummy selective editing.”
Scottish Greens: Branded it a “despicable attempt to bring blatant racism into the by-election.”
Former SNP MSP Christina McKelvie and other local leaders expressed dismay that, amid serious policy debates, Reform UK would resort to identity-baiting.
