Scottish Labour candidate Mike Macleod has welcomed plans for a protest in Kirkwall aimed at opposing the rise of Reform ahead of the election.

The leafletting event is set to take place at 12 noon on 5 May at the junction of Castle Street, Albert Street and Broad Street in Kirkwall.

It is being organised by Orkney Resists, with materials provided by Stand Up To Racism, as part of a wider campaign effort.

Mr Macleod said the event reflects growing concern about political direction and the tone of debate.

“Reform is not a normal, constitutional political party which plays by the rules.

“It’s been demonstrated time and again that some of their candidates for the Scottish Parliament have racist views which are completely unacceptable to decent people in Scotland.

“Nigel Farage has a close relationship with Donald Trump in America.

“It’s very likely that if Reform did not win the 2029 Westminster Election, they would claim there was cheating by the other parties, and dispute the election, with unpredictable consequences such as riots and violence by the most extreme Reform supporters.

“Now, as in the 1930s, economic uncertainty has led to mistrust of politicians.

“When there is too little money to go round, there is suspicion and fear of the ‘other’.

“Today Muslims and people of colour have largely replaced Jews as the object of hatred.

“But not entirely, as the recent tragic stabbings of two Jews in Golders Green demonstrates.

“I wholeheartedly condemn this atrocity, as I do all political violence.

“The right-wing media have always used racism when it suited them.

“But now with social media spreading poison and division on an industrial scale, all the conditions for Fascism in Britain have been created. Democracy is on the ballot paper, and will continue to be so while Reform exists.

“This is a time for the normal, constitutional political parties to show leadership and demonstrate that there is a difference between themselves and Reform.”

He has also written to other candidates standing in the Orkney Islands constituency, including Jamie Halcro Johnston, Robert Leslie and Liam McArthur, asking them to publicly condemn Reform and recent violence in London.

Mr Macleod added that his comments were not intended as a personal reflection on Reform candidate John Coupland in Orkney.

The planned protest forms part of a wider pattern of political activity across Scotland as parties and campaign groups seek to mobilise support in the final days before the vote.

Events such as this highlight the intensity of the current campaign, with strong views being expressed across the political spectrum.