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Reform UK trying to criminalise use of Gaelic and Scots in election material – SNP

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Reform UK has been accused of trying to criminalise the use of Gaelic and Scots election materials in Britain.

The SNP said Reform’s amendment to the UK Government’s Representation of the People Bill was “despicable” and “anti-Scottish”.

The amendment, by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, states UK election materials, including placards, posters or other literature, should be required to be in either English or Welsh.

Under the proposals, a person breaking the rules could be jailed for up to six months and be forced to pay a fine.

The Reform amendment does not mention Scots or Gaelic (PA)

The amendment, which will almost certainly not pass, was backed by Reform MPs Lee Anderson, Sarah Pochin, Danny Kruger, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell, and Suella Braverman.

The SNP demanded that Reform withdraws the proposals.

Maree Todd, an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “This despicable anti-Scottish amendment is deeply telling – Reform wants to see any trace of our native languages removed from Scottish politics.

“Not content with plans to cut our MSPs and ‘review’ the powers of Holyrood, (Reform leader Nigel) Farage and his cronies want to threaten jail time upon anyone in Scotland who publishes political materials in Scots or Gaelic.

Maree Todd seated in Holyrood
SNP MSP Maree Todd said the amendment is ‘despicable’ and ‘anti-Scottish’ (Jane Barlow/PA)

“We know Reform could not care less about Scotland, but this move is all too reminiscent of the brutal anti-Gaelic laws of the Highland Clearances.

“Reform must now do the right thing – apologise to the people of Scotland for attempting to criminalise election materials written in Scottish languages and immediately withdraw this outrageous amendment.”

The Representation of the People Bill, if voted through, would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote at the next general election.

The legislation would also tighten rules around political donations, protect against foreign interference, move towards automatic voter registration and expand the forms of acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards.

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Under the Scottish Languages Act, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages in Scotland.

Around 130,000 Scots have some Gaelic skills, according to the 2022 Census, while nearly 2.5 million have some skills in Scots.

Reform UK has been approached for comment.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖

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