Nigel Farage’s latest proposal to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants has sparked outrage across Scotland, with warnings that it would threaten the NHS, damage the economy, and deepen social divisions.
Unveiled this morning by the Reform UK leader, the proposed mass deportation policy would target people who have come to the UK legally, many of whom are currently working in health and care services, hospitality, and other key sectors.
SNP MP Pete Wishart said the plan was “one more desperate and despicable attempt to blame migrants for the economic state of broken Britain,” warning that the consequences for Scotland would be severe.
“Farage’s plans would threaten the collapse of our NHS,” he said, “and would crash the economy all over again.”
Scotland’s public services, particularly in rural and island areas, rely heavily on international recruitment.
The NHS, care homes, agriculture and hospitality are all facing workforce shortages and any move to remove those already here legally would, experts warn, tip already stretched systems into crisis.
Wishart added:
“Instead of attacking migrants who staff our NHS, contribute to our economy and strengthen our society, the truth that Westminster politicians refuse to face is that Brexit broke Britain and Farage was the key architect of that disaster.”
The comments come amid growing criticism of Labour’s stance on immigration, with senior figures accusing Keir Starmer of echoing Farage rather than challenging him.
“It is shameful that instead of calling out Farage, the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are determined to follow him,” said Wishart.
“They followed Farage on Brexit and they are now following him on immigration.”
Over the weekend, former Labour leader Neil Kinnock made headlines by calling on his party to shift direction, suggesting that “it’s time to look at rejoining” the European Union and the Dublin protocols in order to tackle the small boats crisis and rebuild the economy.
Wishart welcomed the intervention, but voiced concern that Starmer would ignore it.
“The Labour Party would do well to listen to their former leader instead of racing to replicate Nigel Farage and Reform,” he said.
“But I fear Keir Starmer won’t listen, I fear he’s already locked into following Farage.”
Wishart argued that only independence would allow Scotland to take a different path on migration, one that reflects its own values and workforce needs.
“With independence, Scotland could rid itself of Westminster’s race to the bottom,” he said.
“Instead of a Farage future under Westminster control, Scotland could choose a different and better future with the fresh start of independence.”
