'Leave our children alone': Glasgow councillors blast 'racist' Farage comments on schoolchildren

Glasgow councillors have condemned “racist” remarks made by the Reform Party leader last week, demanding he “leave our children alone”.

It follows comments made by Nigel Farage describing multi-lingualism in Glaswegian schools as “cultural smashing”, claiming that one in three pupils in the city speak English as a second language.

During a full council meeting, elected members agreed that Glasgow’s multi-lingualism is a gift not a threat and is one of the city’s greatest strengths and that the comments made were a “toxic disgrace”.

An emergency motion was brought before councillors by SNP councillor Declan Blench who said this was an attempt to “sow division” within Glasgow schools based on the ethnicity, nationality and language of school children.

He said that while many languages are spoken in the city, all children educated in Glasgow are equally Glaswegian no matter their native language.

Councillor Blench said: “I find that I only used to hear this on the darkest corners of the internet and hearing it being said in a mainstream outlet now is absolutely terrifying.

“You leave our children alone.”

Members praised the efforts of teachers and school staff throughout the city who work tirelessly to promote the use of a variety of languages in educational settings.

Glasgow became a UNESCO Learning City in December 2024 because of its focus on inclusivity, providing English language courses and supporting vulnerable people in local communities.

Education convenor Christina Cannon said: “It is quite unbelievable that we are having to discuss a motion like this at all.

“Never in my role as education convenor did I think I would have to stand up in the chamber and ask colleagues to vote for a motion that says discrimination and attacks on our children is wrong.

“These children are able to speak more than one language, in fact we have around 167 languages altogether in our schools.

“Nigel Farage knows that families are struggling with the cost of living crisis and instead of blaming the actual people responsible for this like his millionaire friends and the institution of the Westminister establishment he is elected to, it seems that he wants to offer up the immigrants as scapegoats and anyone that speaks more than one language.

“My message to Nigel Farage could not be clearer, leave our kids alone.”

Councillor Ahmed added: “Multi-lingualism is one of Glasgow’s greatest strengths, in every classroom, in every playground and in every community.

“We reject the ill informed, divisive and hurtful comments made by someone who has described multi-lingualism in schools as a “cultural smashing”.

“Our children’s languages are not a threat, they are a gift. They are bridges between cultures and emotional growth.

“All children in Glasgow are equally Glaswegian no matter which language they speak at home.

“I came to Scotland in 1993 with no English and I learnt English right here in this beautiful city. Glasgow welcomed me, supported me and helped me to grow into the person who is standing here today.

“Glasgow is stronger because of its languages, not in spite of them.”

Councillor Lilith Johnstone said that Nigel Farage’s comments are a “toxic disgrace”. She said: “They are the worst possible example of punching down and belittling cultural enrichness across our schools.”

Neither of the Reform councillors attended the meeting and neither commented on the debate.

A report will now be brought to a future Education, Skills and Early Years City Policy

The committee meeting is setting out what additional support is being provided to schools, staff, pupils and families in the face of a potential increase in racist harassment, abuse, trolling and intimidation.