‘The response is a beautiful thing’: how Glasgow is squaring up to Reform

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 7 min read 100% complete by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondentJanuary 12, 2026 at 06:36 AM

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AI Summary

long article 7 min

Refuweegee, a Glasgow-based charity founded by Selina Hales in 2015, supports hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees daily. The organization provides welcome packs and a safe space for newcomers. However, the rise of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has coincided with increased racial abuse and feelings of unsafety among Refuweegee's visitors. Farage has specifically targeted Glasgow with his anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of the upcoming Scottish parliament elections in May. This shift in public sentiment is creating a challenging environment for the charity and the people it serves, despite Glasgow's historical reputation for welcoming refugees.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Falkirk 30% Holyrood 30% Scottish Parliament ×240% Scotland ×250% Reform UK ×265% Nigel Farage ×370% Refuweegee ×680% Glasgow ×785% Selina Hales ×390%

Keywords

refuweegee 100% glasgow 90% refugees 90% asylum seekers 80% nigel farage 70% reform uk 70% hospitality 60% scottish parliament elections 50% racial abuse 50% public sentiment 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.30

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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refuweegee glasgow refugees asylum seekers nigel farage reform uk hospitality scottish parliament elections racial abuse public sentiment

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