No single topic dominates the lead-up to Scotland’s May parliamentary election. Yet immigration emerges as a campaign element, even though Westminster controls the policy. Parties leverage it to address voter concerns over housing, employment, public services, and national identity.
Glasgow Emerges as Key Flashpoint
Glasgow stands out due to its status as a City of Sanctuary for asylum seekers. Scotland hosts about 6% of the UK’s asylum seekers, with more than half in Glasgow, though this share declines according to recent data.
Reform UK capitalizes on these dynamics. No small boats reach Scottish shores, but Reform UK’s Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, launched a Glasgow billboard showing migrants in a crowded dinghy. Bold red text declares: “Scotland is at a breaking point.”
Polls rank cost of living, healthcare, and the economy higher than immigration among Scottish voters. Public discussions often link these pressures to migration, despite root causes elsewhere.
Reform UK’s manifesto highlights “strangers” receiving priority over Scots for social housing from local councils. Offord asserts asylum seekers in Glasgow “jump the queue.” The party pledges to “prioritise local people.” Asylum status does not grant housing priority, but councils must aid homeless individuals, including some asylum seekers.
Party Positions on Migration
Major parties acknowledge Scotland’s demographic and economic hurdles: an ageing population, low birth rates, and labor shortages in healthcare, housing, agriculture, social care, and hospitality. Many sectors rely on immigrants to thrive.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) calls for a flexible migration system suited to Scotland’s needs. Its 2026 manifesto frames migration as a social benefit and economic essential, emphasizing refugee safeguards and a Scotland-specific visa program.
Reform UK, polling strongly as a top contender, features immigration prominently. A core pledge aims to “prioritise local people in communities and restore law and order.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats advocate pro-migration stances. Their manifesto affirms: “We believe in fairness for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.” It supports skills-sensitive immigration and work rights for asylum seekers after three months’ wait.
Scottish Labour prioritizes housing, jobs, teacher support, childcare, and economic delivery over immigration rhetoric.
Scottish Greens view migration through refugee protection, anti-racism, and justice lenses. Their manifesto ensures public services for all, seeks immigration devolution to Holyrood, and proposes work-rights pilots for asylum seekers.
Scottish Conservatives push firmer UK border controls but emphasize taxation, services, crime, SNP accountability, and union stability. They criticize the SNP’s “reckless” immigration approach for drawing asylum seekers to Glasgow.
Scotland’s Migration Narrative
Scotland portrays itself as progressive and welcoming, less prone to anti-migrant sentiment. The “New Scots” strategy earns praise for migrant integration. Surveys reveal slightly more positive attitudes toward migration, with less hostile mainstream rhetoric.
Challenges persist, however. Xenophobia, racism, and scapegoating arise amid service strains, housing shortages, and eroding political trust. Migrants endure these issues alongside others, despite infrequent headlines.
Parties embrace “desirable” migrants like NHS staff, engineers, students, and seasonal workers. Asylum seekers and undocumented individuals face greater scrutiny, revealing a hierarchy of acceptability.
Scotland confronts historical biases against Irish communities, ethnic minorities, and Gypsy/Traveller groups. Economic insecurities fuel anti-migrant narratives. While vulnerable to broader pressures, leaders must avoid blaming migrants for policy shortcomings.
