Reform’s toxic thinking has infected Scottish politics – this week’s Holyrood elections will tell us how badly | Jasmeen Kanwal

For so long, the Scottish government has made a point of welcoming migrants. But I now see troubling changes in my country Jasmeen Kanwal is an educator and writer who lives in Edinburgh As Scotland prepares to elect a new parliament on 7 May, immigration is dominating the political discourse as never before. Reform UK, a party whose top three policies are “stop the boats”, “secure and defend our borders” and “deport illegal migrants” is now polling in second place behind the SNP in many recent surveys. Immigration, after all, is not devolved to the Scottish parliament. But as I’ve learned from my experience as an immigrant in Scotland, Holyrood’s position on immigration matters.

If this thinking were to infect Holyrood, it would be disastrous for Scotland. Jasmeen Kanwal For so long, the Scottish government has made a point of welcoming migrants. But I now see troubling changes in my country A s Scotland prepares to elect a new parliament on 7 May, immigration is dominating the political discourse as never before. Reform UK, a party whose top three policies are “stop the boats”, “secure and defend our borders” and “deport illegal migrants” is now polling in second place behind the SNP in many recent surveys. Immigration, after all, is not devolved to the Scottish parliament.

But as I’ve learned from my experience as an immigrant in Scotland, Holyrood’s position on immigration matters. If this thinking were to infect Holyrood, it would be disastrous for Scotland. With an ageing, shrinking workforce, Scotland desperately needs immigrants for its social security system to function. Given Westminster’s “hostile environment” policies to discourage immigration, the report recommends focusing on creative local initiatives to attract and retain the people Scotland needs. Both devoted Scottish government funds to providing current or would-be “New Scots” with practical advice on navigating the convoluted UK immigration system.

Data from Migration Policy Scotland shows that overall, Scottish public attitudes towards immigration have cooled in the last three years, with 45% of respondents now saying they would prefer a net reduction in immigration, up from only 28% in 2023. Only the Scottish Conservatives side with Reform on this. Scotland has long tried to forge a reputation as a friendly, forward-looking country. Explore more on these topics Share Reuse this content For so long, the Scottish government has made a point of welcoming migrants. But I now see troubling changes in my country Jasmeen Kanwal is an educator and writer who lives in Edinburgh As Scotland prepares to elect a new parliament on 7 May, immigration is dominating the political discourse as never before.

Reform UK, a party whose top three policies are “stop the boats”, “secure and defend our borders” and “deport illegal migrants” is now polling in second place behind the SNP in many recent surveys. Immigration, after all, is not devolved to the Scottish parliament. But as I’ve learned from my experience as an immigrant in Scotland, Holyrood’s position on immigration matters. If this thinking were to infect Holyrood, it would be disastrous for Scotland. Reform’s toxic thinking has infected Scottish politics – this week’s Holyrood elections will tell us how badly | Jasmeen Kanwal