John Swinney defends immigration as Scotland faces rise of Reform

"Scotland needs immigration to bolster the size of its working-age population, the country's first minister has said, mounting a forceful defence of diversity in the face of rising support for Reform ahead of next May's Holyrood elections. John Swinney was speaking at the end of a year marked by a significant shift in Scottish public sentiment, with Nigel Farage's party securing 26% of the vote in its first Holyrood byelection test."

"in the face of protests outside asylum hotels and flag raising across the country. Of course I am concerned about it because I believe with every fibre of my body in the importance of inclusion within our society, Swinney said. During my lifetime Scotland has become a much more diverse country. I'm very proud of that, and I want to make sure that remains our fundamental outlook."

"But he argued that far-right views of the type expressed at some asylum accommodation protests which have taken place in East Kilbride, Falkirk, Perth, Aberdeen and most recently in Inverness, where the UK government is converting a barracks to house asylum seekers represent a very, very small minority in Scotland and suggested there was quite a lot of travelling support for Reform."

Scotland needs immigration to bolster its working-age population and to preserve inclusion as a fundamental national outlook. Reform UK gained 26% in its first Holyrood byelection test and Nigel Farage now polls higher than Keir Starmer. Protests have taken place outside asylum hotels in East Kilbride, Falkirk, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness, where a barracks is being converted to house asylum seekers. Around 750 Reform supporters are gathering for an event with Farage. Far-right voices apportion blame for social concerns to asylum seekers and migrants. Those views represent a very small minority but attract travelling support for Reform.

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