Holyrood elections 2026: Edinburgh climate activists launch campaign against Reform UK
Edinburgh climate activists have launched a campaign against Reform UK, claiming that voting for Nigel Farage’s party in the Holyrood elections could threaten jobs, increase energy bills and undermine Scotland’s renewable energy future.
The move by the Edinburgh Climate Coalition (ECC) comes as Reform held a conference in Renfrewshire to launch its manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections and unveil all its candidates.
The anti-Reform campaign will include social media activism, street campaigning and community outreach across Edinburgh and the Lothians. The ECC said volunteers would be speaking directly to residents about how climate policy affects everyday issues such as employment, energy costs and public services.
The coalition argues that Scotland’s renewable energy sector has the potential to deliver long-term economic benefits while helping to tackle climate change.
And it says it wants to ensure that everyone is aware that Reform UK’s policies undermine climate action and would make the lives of people in Scotland worse.
The ECC leaflet says Reform UK presents itself as an ‘anti-establishment’ force, but is backed by “the same millionaires, billionaires, ex-Tories and fossil fuel money that have blocked climate action for years”.
And it continues: “Reform attack renewable energy, but this is an attack on jobs. It puts hundreds of thousands of existing green jobs at risk and blocks the climate jobs our communities urgently need. Their promises to workers ring hollow: they want to weaken employment rights and make jobs more insecure, not safer.
“More North Sea drilling won’t cut energy bills; renewable energy is already cheaper to produce than oil and gas. Energy prices are set globally, and oil companies pocket the profits. Instead, insulating our homes would make us all warmer and save us money.
“2025 was the hottest year on record. Heatwaves, floods, wildfires, crop failures, and rising food prices are already here. Reform UK promotes climate denial. Ignoring reality won’t stop disasters; it guarantees more of them.”
Luke Henderson from ECC said: “We are entering a pivotal moment for Scotland’s future. Reform UK’s agenda is a recipe for ecological and economic disaster. We are taking the fight to their doorstep to ensure voters know the true cost of their ‘common sense’ policies.”
And another member, Arran Proctor, added: “Reform UK is selling a fairy tale where we can ignore the planet and still have a future. We aren’t just here to protest their policies; we’re here to expose them. Edinburgh won’t stand by while they gamble with our climate for the sake of a soundbite.”