How do we counter the rise of far right rhetoric in our communities?
The rise of far right influence has caused alarm to many in diverse communities like Govanhill and can risk undermining social cohesion, inclusion and harmony. In this opinion piece, published on World Refugee Day, Devon McCole explores what we can do to stop it and protect those most vulnerable.
Anti-Racism campaign signage from ‘Stop Reform UK’ protest outside Queen’s Park Gates, by Sadia Sikander
By Devon McCole | Photos by Iain McLellan & Sadia Sikander
This week, community groups, charitable organisations and the media have been highlighting and celebrating Refugee Festival Scotland – a week-long event geared towards supporting and celebrating those who journeyed to Scotland for a better, safer life. It promotes empathy and the human right to settle in a new country with dignity and respect.
Sadly, events in 2024 highlighted the need for such awareness raising activities. The ‘protests’ across the UK last summer, in response to an attack on young girls, which was mistakenly attributed to a Muslim asylum seeker. These quickly devolved into riots organised by the far-right on telegram channels, with false information amplified by high profile figures on social media.
The calls to action during these ‘protests’ soon became focussed on stopping ‘the boats’ and ‘mass immigration’ – indiscriminately placing the blame of the tragic and violent event on the supposed excess of migrants in the UK. It was a dispiriting display of the kind of far-right ideologies that are increasingly dominating political and public discourse around the world.
While riots did not break out in Glasgow, the fear of them still caused a great deal of distress to those most vulnerable to this kind of hate.
In recent weeks, events involving a locally elected Scottish-born, Muslim representative underscored the extent to which far-right nationalism goes, undermining Scots’ sense of belonging in Scotland based on their heritage, race or religion.
Southside Central Ward Councillor Soryia Siddique, a Scottish citizen who’s served as a representative for Govanhill for the past 13 years, received racist and Islamaphobic abuse online. This followed a comment she had made about the lack of diversity in local councils describing the political environment she entered in as “pale, male and stale”. In another clip she described Glasgow as “our city” – remarks an infamous Scottish podcaster described as “scary” and “unpleasant” in a now-deleted YouTube video, which served as a dog whistle to many from across the far right online. The podcaster was subsequently “arrested and charged following a report of an online communication offence”, according to Police Scotland.
Solidarity in the Southside
Cllr Soryia Siddique
Locally, people spoke up in response. Fatima Uygun, CEO of Govanhill Baths Community Trust said: “Soryia Siddique, a long-standing supporter of ordinary people's rights, has been subjected to horrendous racist abuse and Islamophobia. It is unacceptable that a local councillor, dedicated to serving her community in Govanhill, should face such prejudice.
“We stand in solidarity with Soryia Siddique and condemn all forms of Islamophobia and racism. The views espoused by Tommy Robinson and his supporters have no place in Govanhill. We are delighted that the individual responsible for the racist abuse has been charged and demand that all forms of racism are always punished and never tolerated.”
The Labour MP for Glasgow East, John Grady said: “Soryia is a diligent and thoughtful councillor. She has spoken honestly about the terrible experiences of racist and anti-Muslim abuse she has had as a Muslim female councillor. I am very proud of Soryia – and very lucky to have her as a colleague. I condemn the abuse she receives.”
Fellow Councillor for the Southside Central Ward, SNP’s Mhairi Hunter said: “I was horrified to see the deluge of racist and sexist abuse directed towards my ward colleague Soryia, and I know the overwhelming majority of Southside Central residents will feel the same way. Soryia has my full solidarity and support in this. It just shows the human cost of the racist rhetoric which is far too common these days, and we all need to stand against it.”
Multiculturalism under threat
The Southside – Pollokshields and Govanhill in particular – are known to be some of the most culturally and ethnic diverse areas in Glasgow and often become the main targets for racist intolerance. That’s how a woman born in Glasgow can be told‘does not belong here.’
We don’t get to choose our heritage, or where we are born and raised. These are circumstances outwith our control, they’re just a part of who we are. People are multifaceted and multicultural, especially in a community as diverse as Govanhill. The rise of far-right ideologies which portray communities like ours in a negative light encourages the kind of intolerance shown toward Cllr Soryia Siddique and many other residents who have come face to face with similar racist attitudes in the streets and online.
The vulnerability of refugees and asylum seekers to far-right ideologies and othering is even greater, with their livelihoods, quality of life and freedom of choice and movement at stake.
The human cost of this and the cost to our communities can’t be ignored. To deny neighbours and public servants the respect and dignity we all deserve based on identity is dangerous. We saw the potential for social unrest caused by the othering of people based on their nationalities and ethnic differences. The flame-fanning and finger-pointing of far-right figure heads and politicians dead-set on self-segregating does nothing other than pit people against one another, eroding social cohesion.
With the internet opening us up to more cultures and ideas than ever before, the narrow and segregationist worldview promoted by political parties like Reform UK , isn’t just unrealistic but something I wholly disagree with. Encouraging people to fear others based on religion, race or nationality just creates hostility – the far-right may thrive off this, but communities don’t.
As a long-time resident of the Southside and having worked in Govanhill for a couple of years now, I’ve seen first-hand that this is not a passive community; from the Kenmure anti-raid protest to the Govanhill anti-racist festival, there’s an incredible number of events that promote education, facilitate connection and provide an opportunity to take a stand.
So what can be done to stop the rise of the far-right in Scotland and in our communities?
Youth voting campaign poster by Iain McLellan
Holyrood election 2026
Reform UK came fourth in the Southside Central council by-election in March of this year, with 5.9 percent of the vote. But they made a far stronger showing in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse Holyrood by-elections in June, securing 26.1 percent and placing third.
Many think of Reform as only an issue south of the border, but these results show Reform’s rising popularity in Scotland. Some recent polls showing them ahead of the Conservatives in regional voting intentions. If this trend holds, Reform UK could win up to 20 seats in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, potentially even emerging as the main opposition party at Holyrood.
The far-right cannot be allowed to gain a foothold at next year’s Holyrood election. If you are 16+, living in Scotland and are a British/Irish/EU/Commonwealth citizen, or foreign national with leave to remain and you haven’t been disqualified by law, you can vote in next year’s Holyrood elections. Just make sure you’re registered to vote before the election date next summer and stay informed about which candidates’ values align with yours.
We’ll be running the Citizen Agenda again for next year’s election, to keep you informed on how to vote and help you narrow down who to vote for.
Local and national groups and resources
Collated by the South East Integration Network
With the rise of a political ideology dead-set on pitting people against each other and pulling communities apart by othering people and promoting hate, the best medicine is empathy and coming together as a community in the face of it.
Community support and spaces
Here are some community spaces and support services to join, attend or support in order to make a difference and reconnect with or support the community around you:
Milk Wellbeing Group: Community drop-in sessions open to all women and welcoming to refugees
Migrants Organising for Rights and Empowerment: MORE is a constituted grassroots group campaigning for asylum seekers’ rights; right to work, access full-time higher education as home students, right to decent housing and to be treated with dignity. They are designed, developed and delivered by those with lived experience of the asylum system.
Unity Sisters: Non-profit organisation supporting women in the asylum system in Scotland who are struggling under difficult circumstances to find community and support when resources are limited. You can contact them for their support if you are a migrant woman or donate.
LGBT Unity Glasgow: Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Refugees, Asylum Seekers and other Migrants
Leap Sports Transactive Programme: This service is for those in the trans/non-binary community to encourage staying active and build social connections.
Black Minds Matter: Support for Black people’s mental health
Youngminds: Racism and mental health support
Educational resources and useful contacts
A collection of resources for community groups, organisations, and activists on safeguarding, aftercare, safety during targeted threats, bystander intervention, and legal support.
Aftercare Support Menu: Some approaches to care for yourself in the way you might need following the session/training/workshop/organising, or working with the many ways we might be feeling after talking about social justice work
Radical Safeguarding: A Social Justice Workbook for Safeguarding Practitioners which is designed for practitioners working with children and young people, particularly in school contexts, who might be wondering how to start doing things differently when it comes to safeguarding
Hope Not Hate: Group offering support for communities to build resistance and connection, helping people to understand and counter hatred with many accessible resources on their website
Far Right Attacks on Organisations Resource: Resource from Hope Not Hate on dealing with and safeguarding against far-right attacks on organsations
Active Bystander Resources: Charity offering free educational resources and running training events teaching people how to be an active bystander when witnessing racism in the streets and in the workplace, you can also support them through donations
CRER - Tackling Online Hate Resource: Advice on responding to online hate and hate crime
Digital Resources from Mhor Collective: Particularly for vulnerable people in identifying fake news and dealing with hate online
SCALP: Legal support for activists, training and resources
Third Party Hate Crime Reporters in Glasgow: A list of third party hate crime reporters in Glasgow, which can be contacted in addition to Police Scotland
Safety Advice and Information for Communities Affected by Far-Right Terror: Scottish Refugee Council have put together information and advice on staying safe and supporting each other amidst far-right terror and violence
Institute of Race Relations: An independent educational charity in 1958 to carry out research, publish and collect resources on race relations throughout the world
Hopefully the resources and groups listed here are useful and act as a reminder that when standing against hate, reporting abuse and seeking community, you don’t have to do it alone.