Right-wing extremists seek to infiltrate Scots politics through community councils
05.12.2023 - 05:33
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Racist far-right extremists are creeping into Scottish politics via community councils, the Daily Record can reveal.
A detailed report by the Hope Not Hate group today brands the sinister Patriotic Alternative (PA) the “dominant fascist group in the UK”. But the report also reveals details of a recent split in the anti-immigration group – leading to the formation of a new Scottish group called “Homeland”, which claims to already have three community councillors.
Homeland councillors have appeared in a YouTube video filmed in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, featuring Scottish organiser Kenny Smith. In the video, the party’s new community councillors make no mention of their right-wing beliefs, instead claiming to represent “the common man” on local issues.
Hope Not Hate fears Scottish far-right organisers are engaged in a new strategy to enter local politics, and involve members of the Homeland group. This has resulted in Homeland member David Gardner being appointed to Forfar Community Council and fellow far-right activist Simon Crane entering local politics in East Calder and District Community Council, in West Lothian.
The identity of a claimed third councillor is not known. The report warns that Homeland kingpin Smith is now applying the controversial “ladder strategy” adopted by the British National Party (BNP) when they reached the height of their political influence during the 2000s.
It states: “Homeland believes national elections to be ‘a waste of time, money and effort’ without having already gained ‘control of the levers of power’ at a local level. Smith has encouraged activists to join community councils – the lowest tier of local government – in order to build political experience and local profiles, as well as to
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