Reform UK “are a bunch of cranks and rejects”, Anas Sarwar has said, as he accused the party of not being serious about its plans to build migrant detention centres in Green constituencies.
The Scottish Labour leader said he was “disgusted and repulsed” by the party’s ideas as he urged Scots to “reject their poison” on Thursday.
It comes after Reform announced that a Reform UK Government would not build immigration detention centres in seats held by that party’s MPs, or where they were in control of the local authority.
Instead, Reform said Green voters will “get what they vote for” as part of Reform’s push to detain up to 24,000 people within 18 months.
Thomas Kerr, one of the party’s top candidates, said the party was prepared to override Holyrood to build the detention centres in Green-voting areas.
Asked about the comments, Mr Sarwar said both Reform and the SNP were a “threat” to devolution.
If you vote Reform you will not have an illegal migrant deportation facility in your area.
We will hold migrants awaiting deportation in constituencies that vote Green instead.
You get what you vote for. pic.twitter.com/voDsRi6uh8
Speaking in Glasgow, he told the Press Association that Reform was “trying to make noise” and “grab attention”.
He said: “These are not serious people. These are not serious ideas. This is a group of cranks who are trying to find attention in this election campaign to try and further divide Scot from Scot, and the best thing that Scots can do is reject their poison.”
Asked if he agreed with First Minister John Swinney that Reform was an existential threat to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Labour leader said: “Reform are a bunch of cranks and rejects that I want to be rejected at the polls.
“I actually think there are two threats to devolution: the SNP and Reform.
“Neither of these political parties believe in devolution. Both of these political parties choose division over unity and both of these political parties want to use politics and power for their own ends, rather than actually improving the lives of people in this great country.”
Mr Sarwar said Reform did not have a “serious or credible plan for change” as he accused the party of “playing on people’s legitimate concerns for their own political ends”.
The Scottish Labour also predicted that Mr Swinney would not be First Minister after the election, saying: “I believe we will change the First Minister in this country.”
Mr Sarwar said he was “excited” and “ambitious” going into the election, despite the election suggesting the party could come third after the SNP and Reform.
Reform UK Scotland, the SNP and the Scottish Greens have been approached for comment.
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