Reform UK Faces Racism Accusations Over Sarwar By-Election Advert

Reform UK has faced widespread accusations of racism over a by-election social media advert targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, which claims he will "prioritise the Pakistani community." The advert, which has been viewed up to half a million times and cost Reform between £7,000 and £9,000, uses selectively edited clips from a 2022 speech where Sarwar advocated for increased political representation of South Asian communities, but does not contain him explicitly stating prioritizing the Pakistani community. Sarwar and Scottish Labour condemned the ad as a deliberate dog whistle questioning his identity, loyalty, and belonging in Scotland, highlighting that he was born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents and is a proud Scot. Other political parties, including the Scottish Liberal Democrats and SNP, also criticized the advert as divisive and racist, with Reform UK defending the ad by stating it features Sarwar's own words and refusing to remove it. The controversy comes ahead of the June 5 by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse, where Reform UK is seeking to increase its political influence. The incident underscores tensions around race, identity, and political representation in Scotland’s current electoral landscape.