Reform plan to override Scots’ devolved powers to build detention centres

After Nigel Farage threatened to build detention centres in areas which don’t vote for Reform UK, it’s now emerged that the party will override the Scottish government in Holyrood to do the same north of the border.

“Scots will not take kindly to this kind of bullying," the Greens said. 👇 pic.twitter.com/Ja2lJdMrxA

— The Herald (@heraldscotland) May 5, 2026

Reform issues threats to Scots

Reform has denied its new policy constitutes a ‘threat’. The reason it’s being interpreted as one is because Reform has argued people shouldn’t want detention centres in their area. Therefore, it’s clearly a threat by the party’s own logic.

There’s also a distinct lack of sense in comments like this from Zia Yusuf:

I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.

Whoever would have thought!

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) May 4, 2026

The Green Party wants asylum seekers to be able to live and work in communities while the government processes their claims. This is obviously a bit different to wanting them to be imprisoned in concentration camps.

While the detention centre proposal is problematic enough in the UK, it takes on an additional layer of controversy in Scotland. As reported by the Herald:

Nigel Farage will override Holyrood if MSPs attempt to block legislation to allow the UK Government to build “migrant detention facilities” in Scotland, Reform UK has confirmed.

Thomas Kerr, the party’s lead candidate in Glasgow, told The Herald the country was facing a “national security emergency” which meant if his party forms the next UK Government, it will need to “take action”.

The real ‘national emergency’ the UK is facing is that the wealthy are being allowed to steal everything out from under us, making us all increasingly poorer. The richer these people become, the more power they have. The more power they have, the richer they become. It’s a vicious cycle and the Tories, Labour and Reform are riding us all the way to the bottom.

Reform’s man in Glasgow, Thomas Kerr, said:

A Reform Government would first seek a legislative consent motion from Holyrood, but if rejected by Holyrood, then we’d look at amending legislation to ensure the change happens.

This is a national security emergency and we can’t allow foreign criminals to walk our streets any longer. Reform will take action and we’ll allow others to pontificate why they back strangers over Scots.

The idea that all migrants are ‘criminals’ is classic fascist rhetoric, of course.

High value crime

You’ll notice Reform doesn’t have any energy for the white collar criminals rinsing the treasury for billions. This is no surprise given the questionable financial situations the party’s senior politicians keep finding themselves in.

Exclusive: Richard Tice failed to pay £100k in tax, benefiting his investment firm — which then gave big sums to Reform

Tice gave contradictory reasons for why four shell companies paid zero tax. @DanNeidle says they flouted "basic" rule, face HMRC probe https://t.co/Xpnb9eP3MX

— Gabriel Pogrund (@Gabriel_Pogrund) April 18, 2026

This is unbelievable. Chris Mason reporting on the Farage £5m donation and doesn't mention the rule that new MPs must report all donations in the 12 months prior to being elected. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/VFFFb3XwwH

— Mr Ethical 🚩 (@nw_nicholas) April 30, 2026

If Reform does get to build these detention centres, keep an eye out for where the money goes.

London rules

The Herald also notes that Reform had previously planned to build Scottish detention centres in remote areas. Now, they will instead target any areas which vote for the Scottish Greens.

Ross Greer, Scottish Greens co-leader, had this to say:

Reform UK are now openly threatening voters. Scots will not take kindly to this kind of bullying.

Offord and Farage want to turn this country into Donald Trump’s America, a place where those who oppose their hateful politics are threatened and attacked.

The ‘Offord’ in question is Lord Malcolm Offord, Reform’s leader in Scotland.

Remember when Reform tried to sell themselves as a working class party? Now their Scottish leader is bragging about having "six houses, five cars, and six boats" … @willem_moore_uk has more.https://t.co/rdcD1IoHYH

— Canary (@TheCanaryUK) April 30, 2026

Offord is a lord because Boris Johnson elevated him. Before that, he was a multi-millionaire donor to Johnson. You see how these things work?

Greer continued:

People across Scotland are ready to reject this vile outfit of ex-Tories, conspiracy theorists and billionaires. This latest threat shows that the best way to do that is by voting Scottish Greens on your regional, peach-coloured ballot paper.

The fact that they are led in Scotland by a multimillionaire lord who owns six homes, six boats and five cars tells us everything we need to know about these chancers. Reform has no interest in making people’s lives easier.

Compare that to the Scottish Greens. We delivered free bus travel for young people. We scrapped peak rail fares. And we are prepared to go even further, with free bus travel for all and a childcare system that families can actually afford.

All over Scotland this vote will go down to the wire between the Scottish Greens and Reform. Every ballot will be crucial. Let’s show that hope and unity will always defeat hate and division.

Vote

The question for Scottish voters in the local elections is this: do they want to be bullied by posh boys from the City of London, or do they want to retain some control over their own country?

The only way to answer is to vote on 7 May.

Featured image via the Canary