Reform UK's Surge Raises Fears Among Minority Communities

The 2026 local elections gave Reform UK 22 seats on Birmingham City Council (Greens 19), short of the 51-seat majority. Labour lost over 1,400 councillors in England and its Welsh administration for the first time. In Scotland, Reform secured 17 seats, tying with Labour for second behind the SNP. Nigel Farage called the outcome “a truly historic shift in British politics.” The vote coincided with far-right activity, including extremist leaflets distributed in Birmingham.

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• John Cotton – outgoing Labour leader, Birmingham City Council.

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• Mus – member, Brummies United Against Racism, Birmingham.

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• Talat Yaqoob – equalities campaigner, Edinburgh.

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• Richard Tice – Reform UK MP.

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Community leaders warned that Reform’s rise could embolden anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-Black sentiment. Mus said minority residents feel disappointed and fear that a Reform administration would threaten black, brown and migrant communities. Gohir asked whether anti-Muslim rhetoric would “escalate locally.” Yaqoob stressed that Reform MSPs must be held to the standards expected of public officials. Aksu described the situation as “a new era of politics where racism is in our parliament.”

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Reform MP Richard Tice said that communities would not vote for Reform if they were fearful and voiced concern about antisemitic abuse targeting the Jewish community, urging the press to prioritize that issue over others. John Cotton, the outgoing council leader, urged the incoming administration to champion Birmingham’s diversity regardless of its composition. Reform UK and Akhmed Yakoob have not provided comment when approached.

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• “What I would encourage the next administration in this city to do, whatever form that administration takes, is that it ensures it champions the diversity of this city,” — John Cotton, outgoing Labour leader, Birmingham City Council

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• “We are really disappointed. We’ve been campaigning to make sure our city is a safe space for our communities,” — Mus, Brummies United Against Racism

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• “We know marginalised communities are worried about Reform’s wins and how these wins are interpreted on the ground by those who are already targeting them,” — Talat Yaqoob, equalities campaigner, Edinburgh

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• “If they were fearful, why would they be voting for us?” — Richard Tice, Reform MP

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Both Reform UK and Akhmed Yakoob were approached for comment on the racism allegations and have not responded, leaving a gap in the official record. Reform’s leadership has offered only a general statement of concern without addressing the specific incidents cited by community groups.

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Activists such as Mus and Gohir say they will “double our efforts” to protect community safety, and anti-racism groups plan further unity marches in Glasgow and Birmingham. Watchdog organisations intend to monitor Reform councillors and MSPs to see whether rhetoric translates into policy.

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