Full Breakdown
Reform Candidate's Chemtrail Claim Sparks Political Backlash
5/5/2026, 11:37:43 AM
Core Event: Chemtrail Allegation and Election Bid
Reform UK councillor David McLennan, the party’s Bathgate candidate, posted on X that aircraft vapour trails are part of a scheme to “cull the global population.” He blamed billionaire Bill Gates and the Davos summit, saying the trails “turn into clouds to hide the sun” and that “Gates and Davos are trying to cull the global population.” The claim appeared before the Bathgate election.
Background and Candidate Profile
Reform UK, led by former UKIP and Brexit Party figure Nigel Farage, markets itself as a right-wing party focused on housing. McLennan, a former landlord, called Reform a “landlords’ party” that would help owners regain homes and criticised the end of no-fault evictions in England. His candidacy follows a pattern of controversial nominees.
Key Figures
- David McLennan – Reform councillor, Bathgate candidate, former landlord.
- Bill Gates – Billionaire cited in the chemtrail claim.
- Nigel Farage – Leader of Reform UK.
- Jackie Baillie – Scottish Labour Deputy Leader.
- Patrick Harvie – Scottish Greens spokesperson for Net-Zero.
- Scottish Conservative spokesperson – Unnamed official responding to the claim.
Official Statements & Responses
Labour’s Jackie Baillie condemned the inclusion of “crank conspiracy theorists” in Reform’s slate, urging higher standards. The Greens, via Patrick Harvie, called the chemtrail claim part of a broader “conspiracy theories and racist fear-mongering” trend. A Conservative spokesperson labelled McLennan a “crank” and warned Reform’s disarray harms its credibility to challenge the SNP or any independence referendum. All three parties stressed the need for candidates focused on public services, poverty reduction and community safety.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition parties framed the chemtrail allegation as evidence of extremist, unfounded rhetoric in Scottish politics. Critics warned such statements could distract from substantive debates on housing, cost-of-living pressures and public-service protection, and noted the remarks echo broader far-right narratives previously rejected by Scottish voters.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm in Scotland and you can SE [sic] the vapour trails across the blue canvas slowly, surely, definitely turn into clouds to hide the sun. Gates and Davos are trying to cull the global population.” — David McLennan, Reform councillor and Bathgate candidate
- “ Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “Lord Offord and Reform have welcomed crank conspiracy theorists with open arms, but Scotland deserves better.” — Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader
- “It shows once again exactly what kind of people Reform are putting forward for Parliament: stupid, racist and dangerous.” — Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens spokesperson for Net-Zero
- “ A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “This crank is just the latest Reform candidate to have their murky past exposed.” — Scottish Conservative spokesperson
Implications and What’s Next
The controversy may affect voter views of Reform UK in the Bathgate race. Labour, Greens and Conservatives say they will monitor the spread of conspiracy narratives in campaigns. No further comment from Reform UK or McLennan was available at the time of writing.
