The Dangerous Game of Political Fearmongering: A Glasgow Case Study
There’s something deeply unsettling about the way politicians weaponize fear to score points. It’s a tactic as old as politics itself, but in the age of social media and 24/7 news cycles, it’s become a high-stakes game with real-world consequences. Take the recent case of Thomas Kerr, Reform UK’s deputy Scottish leader, whose ‘walkabout’ in Glasgow has sparked outrage. Personally, I think this isn’t just about one politician’s actions—it’s a symptom of a broader trend in modern politics where fear is the currency, and truth is often the first casualty.
The Walkabout That Wasn’t
Kerr’s 30-minute stroll through Glasgow’s city centre, complete with a press release and social media video, paints a picture of a city in chaos. Drug deals, alcohol abuse, intimidation—all in broad daylight. But here’s the thing: the evidence is thin at best. A screenshot of two young non-white men standing against a wall? An overflowing bin? What makes this particularly fascinating is how Kerr connects these mundane scenes to migration and ‘lawlessness.’ It’s a classic example of dog-whistle politics, where the subtext is far more damaging than the text itself.
From my perspective, this isn’t just about misrepresenting Glasgow; it’s about stoking division. Kerr’s narrative implies that certain groups—often minorities—are the source of societal problems. What many people don’t realize is that this kind of fearmongering doesn’t just harm reputations; it creates real-world fear and suspicion. It’s a dangerous game, and one that politicians like Kerr seem all too willing to play.
The Politics of Division
One thing that immediately stands out is how Kerr’s rhetoric aligns with Reform UK’s broader agenda. The party has a history of opposing investment in youth services and action on poverty, yet they’re quick to point fingers when things go wrong. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a classic case of blaming the symptoms while ignoring the causes. Glasgow’s issues—drugs, poverty, underfunding—are complex and deeply rooted. They’re not solved by a 30-minute walk and a press release.
What this really suggests is that Kerr and his party are more interested in scoring political points than in offering solutions. The SNP’s Zen Ghani and the Scottish Greens’ Iris Duane both called out Kerr’s tactics, but their critiques go beyond partisan bickering. They’re highlighting a fundamental issue: politicians like Kerr are exploiting fear to distract from their own policy failures.
The Broader Implications
This raises a deeper question: what does it say about our political culture when fearmongering is not just tolerated but rewarded? In an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire, politicians like Kerr are playing with fire. Their narratives may resonate with some, but at what cost?
A detail that I find especially interesting is how Kerr’s video focuses on non-white individuals, subtly linking them to ‘lawlessness.’ This isn’t just fearmongering—it’s racialized fearmongering. It taps into long-standing biases and amplifies them for political gain. What’s worse, it distracts from the real issues facing Glasgow, like the housing emergency and the cost of living crisis.
The Way Forward
If there’s one takeaway from this debacle, it’s that we need to demand better from our politicians. Fear is a powerful tool, but it’s also a destructive one. As a society, we must be vigilant against those who exploit it for their own gain.
Personally, I think the solution lies in accountability. Politicians like Kerr should be held to account not just for their words but for the implications of those words. We need to call out fearmongering for what it is: a cynical tactic that undermines trust and divides communities.
In the end, Glasgow’s problems won’t be solved by walkabouts or press releases. They’ll be solved by honest dialogue, meaningful investment, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of inequality. Until then, we’ll continue to see politicians like Kerr playing the fear card—and it’s up to us to refuse to play along.
