Glasgow Emergency March Against Reform UK – Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Campaigners from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and Women Against the Far Right are organising an “emergency march and rally” described as “a day of rage against Reform UK” in Glasgow.
• The event, authorised by Glasgow City Council, assembles at McLennan Arch at 10.30am and proceeds through the city centre to the top of Buchanan Street for a rally starting at 12pm.
• Thousands are expected to attend, with participants travelling from areas including Inverness, Falkirk, and Dumfries.
• The march responds to polls predicting Reform UK will gain a considerable number of seats in the upcoming Holyrood elections.
• Glasgow southside anti-racist campaigner Zamard Zahid featured in a promotional video, stating: “This is our chance as the people of Scotland to unite and send a strong message that we reject the hateful and divisive politics of Reform and the far right, that we choose to celebrate diversity and not fear it.”
• The groups distributed around 200,000 leaflets across Scotland during the election campaign urging voters to reject Reform UK’s politics.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 8, 2026 – Campaigners have announced an emergency march against Reform UK scheduled for tomorrow in Glasgow city centre.

Why Is an Emergency March Being Held Against Reform UK in Glasgow?

The demonstration, authorised by Glasgow City Council, will assemble at McLennan Arch on Glasgow Green at 10.30am.

It will proceed through the city centre to the top of Buchanan Street, where a rally is set to begin at 12pm. Organisers from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and Women Against the Far Right have called it

“a day of rage against Reform UK”.

As reported in the original announcement, SUTR and Women Against the Far Right activists estimate thousands will attend, with people travelling from Inverness through Falkirk to Dumfries to join the march.

This comes amid polls predicting Reform UK will gain a considerable number of seats in Holyrood.

A YouGov poll from January 2026 showed Reform UK in second place on 20% of the constituency vote in Scotland, behind the SNP on 34%.

More recent figures from PollCheck as of May 6, 2026, place Reform UK at 17.8% in a five-poll average, behind SNP at 36.4% and ahead of Labour at 18.2%.

A final YouGov MRP projection for the 2026 Holyrood election forecasts Reform UK winning 19 MSPs with 18-19% of votes.

In a promotional video for the march, Glasgow southside anti-racist campaigner Zamard Zahid said:

“This is our chance as the people of Scotland to unite and send a strong message that we reject the hateful and divisive politics of Reform and the far right, that we choose to celebrate diversity and not fear it.”

What Details Confirm the Route and Authorisation of the Glasgow Anti-Reform March?

Glasgow City Council has authorised the event, as noted in coverage linking to council topics. The assembly point is McLennan Arch at 10.30am, with the march moving via city centre routes to Buchanan Street for the 12pm rally.

Similar past events, such as a Southside Unity March Against Racism, have used comparable starting points like Glasgow Green.

Stand Up to Racism Scotland has organised multiple actions against Reform UK, including a summit and days of action ahead of elections.

Their AGM in December agreed a “Stop Farage 2026” campaign to prevent Reform breakthroughs in Holyrood.

How Have Organisers Campaigned Against Reform UK Previously?

The groups distributed around 200,000 leaflets across Scotland during the election campaign urging voters to reject Reform UK’s racist politics.

Stand Up to Racism has reported leafleting efforts in areas like Swansea and Hull to stop Reform candidates.

SUTR Scotland’s activities include protests at Reform UK conferences, such as one on St Andrew’s Day, and support for anti-racist gigs in Glasgow. Zamard Zahid, a committee member of SUTR Scotland, has spoken at events like the Stop Reform summit.

Women Against the Far Right Scotland has held women-led counter-protests, such as one on April 11 at Buchanan Street steps against far-right rallies organised by figures like Ralph Millar.

What Do Polls Say About Reform UK’s Prospects in Holyrood 2026?

While the extent of Reform gains in Holyrood remains unknown, polls predict considerable seats. A YouGov MRP central estimate gives Reform 19 MSPs, with SNP at 62 (short of majority), Labour at 17, and Conservatives at 7.

Earlier, a Daily Business report on a YouGov survey predicted SNP at 67 seats (majority) and Reform at 20 as main opposition. Reform UK’s rise follows 7% in Scotland’s 2024 general election and higher in some polls.

First Minister John Swinney has linked rising Reform support partly to racism, stating individuals with “fundamentally racist views” back the party.

What Is the Broader Context of Anti-Reform Actions in Scotland?

Stand Up to Racism has nationwide mobilisations against Reform UK, including days of action on April 26 ahead of May 1 local elections.

In Scotland, they focus on stopping growth amid Reform’s 200,000 members and councillors elsewhere.

Criticism includes Reform candidates’ offensive posts, with Hope not Hate noting hate speech and far-right ties despite vetting claims. Reform dropped candidates over racism rows.

Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie stated proportionate policing for such rallies, warning violence does not constitute legitimate protest.

CRER’s Manifesto for an Anti-Racist Scotland 2026 calls for parties to commit to race equality ahead of elections.

Past Glasgow rallies, like one with 2,000 against racism, show turnout patterns.

Background of the Development

This emergency march builds on ongoing anti-racism efforts in Scotland amid the 2026 Holyrood election campaign. Stand Up to Racism Scotland formed plans at their December AGM to counter Reform UK, including summits, protests, and leafleting. Polls since early 2026 consistently show Reform UK rising to second place, prompting opposition from groups like SUTR, which has protested at Reform events and distributed mass materials.

Zamard Zahid’s involvement stems from her role in Glasgow southside activism and SUTR committee work. The leaflet distribution of 200,000 copies reflects a sustained campaign since at least late 2025. Glasgow has hosted similar marches, such as Southside Unity events drawing thousands. Reform UK’s growth follows UK-wide gains, with scrutiny over candidate controversies.

Prediction

This development can affect anti-racism campaigners and diverse communities in Scotland by mobilising participation from regions like Inverness, Falkirk, and Dumfries, potentially amplifying calls to reject Reform UK at polls. It may influence voter turnout and sentiment ahead of Holyrood results, given predictions of Reform gaining up to 19-20 seats.

For Reform UK supporters, the march highlights opposition scrutiny on their platform, as voiced by figures like Zamard Zahid. Local businesses and residents along the route, from McLennan Arch to Buchanan Street, could face temporary disruptions from the expected thousands. Broader Scottish society might see heightened debate on diversity versus Reform’s positions, as per ongoing campaigns.