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Nigel Farage 'bottles' press event in Hamilton as left wing protestors blast Reform UK leaderReform flagged up a Farage "walkabout" in the town today, but journalists were left waiting and

no more details were provided.CommentsNewsPaul Hutcheon Political Editor, Daily Record16:39, 02 Jun 2025Updated 19:35, 02 Jun 2025 Nigel Farage “bottled” a planned media event with

journalists in Hamilton on the eve of a crunch Holyrood by-election.

Journalists were left standing in a car park next to the Premier Inn after the Reform UK leader’s no show.

‌ Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “Nigel Farage has bottled it proving what we have known for years - he is a coward.

‌ “Farage’s day saw him admit he can’t win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, announce that he would slash funding for Scotland’s NHS and public services, and then do a

runner. Only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP and deliver a new direction for Scotland.”

Local voters will select a new MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on Thursday after the death of the SNP’s Christina McKelvie.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer upbeat over Hamilton by-election despite Labour fearing third place behind ReformREAD MORE: Nigel Farage met by protesters on visit to Scotland as he criticises

Holyrood funding Farage’s right wing anti-immigration party is tipped to perform strongly and the leader’s presence in the constituency was anticipated by the media.

Article continues below A press note issued by Reform flagged up a by-election “walkabout” in Hamilton at 2pm, with journalists promised further details of the location.

Farage visited Larkhall and is then understood to have made a secret trip to Reform’s Hamilton headquarters but left before journalists arrived.

Left wing activists clashed with Reform supporters outside the HQ, with both sides taunting each other.

‌ Farage had been in Aberdeen earlier in the day where he was met with jeers.

It came as Reform UK announced that Councillor Jamie McGuire had defected from Labour to Farage’s party.

SNP by-election candidate Katy Loudon said: "This is beyond embarrassing for the Labour Party.

‌ "Their candidate in this by-election is invisible - running scared of tonight's debate - and now one of their own Councillors is jumping ship. They know they've lost and they're panicking.

"The contest in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse is now a two horse race between the SNP and Reform UK. This Thursday, only a vote for the SNP will stop Farage."

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