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SCOTTISH First Minister John Swinney has urged civic society and political leaders to unite against the far right in a move welcomed by trade unionists.
Slamming Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s “fundamentally racist view of the world,” he used his first press conference at his official Bute House residence to call for unity to face the rise of such parties.
Reform UK is now polling third in Scotland, behind the first-placed Scottish National Party and Labour.
The SNP leader said: “Farage has been for years leading the argument which has been hostile to migration and I think that is based on a fundamentally racist view of the world — I reject that.”
Announcing he would host a summit on the far-right threat in April, he said: “It is time to come together to draw a line in the sand.
“To set out who we are and what we believe in, because a politics of fear is a politics of despair.
“It is a politics that will divide us and destroy so much that we hold dear.”
Mr Swinney said that he wants the nation “to be ready for whatever this age of uncertainty throws at us, for us to be united in the face of the undoubted challenges that lie ahead.”
He said: “It was a mobilisation of mainstream Scotland that delivered our Parliament a quarter of a century ago.
“I have no doubt it is only by mobilising mainstream Scotland that we can protect those things we care most about, those things that are most important to us today.”
Welcoming the initiative, Scottish TUC general secretary Roz Foyer said the “far right is a real and present danger,” adding: “For generations, trade unions have fought against fascism, racism and discrimination both in and outwith the workplace.
“We will continue that fight.
“It is correct that all groups from across civic society — unions, churches, charities and more — must step up and unite to expunge hatred and division from our streets.
“This requires a commitment across civil society to have the difficult conversations to challenge right-wing ideas within their organisations.”
Ms Foyer said policies from governments to “tackle the economic injustice in our communities, which is a breeding ground for the growth of far-right-wing ideas,” are needed.
She said: “We must bring people with us and show them the politics of fearmongering, demonising and scapegoating is not the way.
“We cannot belittle. We have united before to defeat fascism.
“We will do it again.”
