Reform UK MSP Thomas Kerr has been criticised for using a track described as a "far right anthem" in a social media video calling for the burka to be banned in Scotland. The clip, posted on Instagram, shows Kerr outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of a debate on Wednesday that called for restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including the niqab and burka worn by some Muslim women.
Controversial Music Choice
The video features the 1999 techno hit L'Amour Toujours by Italian DJ Gigi D'Agostino. The song has been blacklisted in parts of Germany and Austria in recent years after being adopted by the far right, who have been filmed chanting "foreigners out" and "Germany is for Germans" along to the track.
Organisers of Munich's Oktoberfest announced in 2024 they would ban the song, with event boss Clemens Baumgärtner saying "there's no place for all that right-wing bullshit". The Austrian Football Association has also banned the track from being played at home international matches.
Political Reactions
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney condemned Kerr's choice of music, saying: "This anthem has been adopted by the far right across Europe as they push their vile xenophobia. It is pathetic that Thomas Kerr chose to use this theme music in a video making a call to ban the burka."
Sweeney added: "Most people across Scotland are scunnered by the performative, dog-whistle politics that Thomas Kerr and his Reform colleagues are choosing to engage in for likes on social media, when we have serious problems to solve in our communities. As a country, we are stronger when we work to break down barriers between communities, and we will continue to stand against these desperate attempts to turn people against each other."
Kerr's Defence
Kerr, Reform's deputy leader at the Scottish Parliament, defended the track, insisting it has long been popular in Glasgow. He said: "This song has been a dance classic for 27 years and particularly popular in the east end of Glasgow. Anyone with a social life will have heard it play in various bars and clubs across the city."
He added: "Maybe Paul Sweeney just wasn't that popular enough to be invited out. Or maybe he should spend less time staring at buildings and more time supporting Glasgow's night-time economy - he could clearly learn a thing or two."
Debate Outcome
The controversy comes after MSPs voted down Reform's calls to restrict face coverings in Scotland. A majority backed an SNP Government amendment this week declaring it was "not for Parliament to legislate for what women choose to wear" and that parliamentarians should "lead by example in rejecting the language and actions of those who seek to divide Scotland's communities in person and online". The amendment passed by 92 to 15 votes with eight abstentions.
During this week's debate, other parties accused Reform of racism. Helen McDade, who brought forward the motion, said face coverings were already banned across Europe, including in France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Italy. She said people across the country had seen videos of masked men in Glasgow causing "fear and mayhem", adding: "Even in circumstances where there is no criminality, many of us may feel fearful, surrounded by people whose faces we cannot see."
Community safety minister Kirsten Oswald told McDade "it is none of your business what women wear", criticising Reform for "singling out" the dress of some Muslim women and noting that balaclavas were not mentioned in the motion.
