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Glasgow Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
'Neo-Nazis' disrupt West Dunbartonshire Council meeting
During the meeting, a motion was presented to elected members by councillor Jim Bollan urging them to condemn the "racist" banners, flyers and posters that had been displayed at the Clydebank Bandstand recently by Patriotic Alliance. Similar banners were also attached to railings in front of the council chambers in Dumbarton on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18. The organisation has been described as a far-right, fascist, neo-Nazi and white nationalist hate group, and have recently used the bandstand at the Clydebank Shopping Centre to demonstrate their views to the public. Councillor Bollan's motion had asked the council to authorise council officials to remove any such items attached to the council-owned bandstand in Clydebank Shopping Centre, that do not have prior written consent from West Dunbartonshire Council as soon as practical. But as councillor Bollan tried to speak, he was interrupted by chanting from the public gallery from at least three or four protesters who kept repeating 'Scotland is for Scots'. They were asked to sit down and be quiet by Provost Karen Murray Conaghan, who also told them to stop filming and taking pictures of the meeting and if they couldn't they would be told to leave. Provost Murray Conaghan said: 'Excuse me, can I ask you to be quiet in the public gallery. It is a meeting in public, not a meeting for you to contribute to. 'You sit there and be quiet during the meeting or I will ask you to leave. If you can't be quiet, you will have to leave and take your hand off the barrier.' The provost was then made aware that filming was taking place. READ MORE: Council urged to remove 'far-right racist' banners from Clydebank landmark READ MORE: Frankie Boyle backs major demonstration in Glasgow this weekend Councillor Murray Conaghan continued: 'There is no filming permitted. If you continue to film, you will be asked to leave now. Please put your phone away.' Councillor Bollan was able to continue speaking on his motion. He said: 'The overt racist posters being displayed by Patriotic Alternative in Clydebank could be a precursor to the racist violent behaviour we are seeing in Ireland at the moment where non-whites are having their homes fire bombed because of the colour of their skin. 'Groups like Patriotic Alternative are cheerleaders for Reform, which is a racist party and use the fact that the two larger political parties are not delivering for the policies needed by our working-class communities. 'That void is being used by extremists to blame refugees and asylum seekers as a divide and conquer tactic, commonly used by racists. By supporting this motion, West Dunbartonshire Council will be sending a clear message that we are anti racist and inclusive of all races. 'Before I came into this meeting, I noticed some of the banners which are outside which are overtly racist. It is unacceptable in West Dunbartonshire.' As councillors started to discuss the motion, the meeting was interrupted again as protesters continued to cause disruption and were asked to leave as a result. Provost Murray Conaghan told the public gallery: 'If you can't put your phone down and stop filming, I will ask you to leave the gallery. 'The recording is available at home so you can listen to it there. You need to put your phone away. We will pause until we restore a bit of public order in the public gallery – sorry members.' The group was escorted out by security and the meeting resumed.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Group of 'neo-Nazis' escorted out from council meeting
During the meeting, a motion was presented to elected members by councillor Jim Bollan urging them to condemn the racist banners, flyers and posters that had been displayed at the Clydebank Bandstand recently by Patriotic Alliance. Similar banners were also attached to railings in front of the council chambers in Dumbarton on Wednesday afternoon. The organisation has been described as a far-right, fascist, neo-Nazi and white nationalist hate group, and have recently used the bandstand at the Clydebank Shopping Centre to demonstrate their views to the public. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar urged to whip Scottish Labour MPs against welfare cuts Councillor Bollan's motion had asked the council to authorise council officials to remove any such items attached to the Council-owned Bandstand in Clydebank Shopping Centre, that do not have prior written consent from West Dunbartonshire Council as soon as practical. But as councillor Bollan tried to speak, he was interrupted by chanting from the public gallery from at least three or four protesters who kept repeating 'Scotland is for Scots'. They were asked to sit down and be quiet by Provost Karen Murray Conaghan , who also told them to stop filming and taking pictures of the meeting, and if they couldn't, they would be told to leave. Provost Murray Conaghan said: 'Excuse me, can I ask you to be quiet in the public gallery. It is a meeting in public, not a meeting for you to contribute to. 'You sit there and be quiet during the meeting or I will ask you to leave. If you can't be quiet you will have to leave and take your hand off the barrier.' The provost was then made aware that filming was taking place. (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Murray Conaghan continued: 'There is no filming permitted. If you continue to film you will be asked to leave now. Please put your phone away.' Councillor Bollan was able to continue speaking on his motion. He said: 'The overt racist posters being displayed by Patriotic Alternative in Clydebank could be a precursor to the racist violent behaviour we are seeing in Ireland at the moment where non-whites are having their homes fire bombed because of the colour of their skin. 'Groups like Patriotic Alternative are cheerleaders for Reform which is a racist party and use the fact that the two larger political parties are not delivering for the policies needed by our working class communities. 'That void is being used by extremists to blame refugees and asylum seekers as a divide and conquer tactic, commonly used by racists. By supporting this motion West Dunbartonshire Council will be sending a clear message that we are anti racist and inclusive of all races. 'Before I came into this meeting I noticed some of the banners which are outside which are overtly racist. It is unacceptable in West Dunbartonshire.' As councillors started to discuss the motion, the meeting was interrupted again as protesters continued to cause disruption and were asked to leave as a result. Provost Murray Conaghan told the public gallery: 'If you can't put your phone down and stop filming I will ask you to leave the gallery. 'The recording is available at home so you can listen to it there. You need to put your phone away. We will pause until we restore a bit of public order in the public gallery – sorry members.' The group was escorted out by security and the meeting resumed.
STV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Group of 'neo-Nazis' escorted from council meeting
A group of 'neo-Nazis' had to be escorted from West Dunbartonshire Council's HQ after disrupting their last full council meeting ahead of the summer recess. During the meeting, councillor Jim Bollan presented a motion to elected members urging them to condemn the racist banners, flyers, and posters that the Patriotic Alliance had recently displayed at the Clydebank Bandstand. Similar banners were also attached to railings in front of the council chambers in Dumbarton on Wednesday. The organisation has been described as a far-right, fascist, neo-Nazi and white nationalist hate group, and have recently used the bandstand at the Clydebank Shopping Centre to demonstrate their views to the public. Councillor Bollan's motion had asked the council to authorise council officials to remove any such items attached to the Council-owned Bandstand in Clydebank Shopping Centre that do not have prior written consent from West Dunbartonshire Council as soon as practical. But as councillor Bollan tried to speak, he was interrupted by chanting from the public gallery from at least three or four protesters who kept repeating 'Scotland is for Scots'. They were asked to sit down and be quiet by Provost Karen Murray Conaghan, who also told them to stop filming and taking pictures of the meeting, and if they couldn't, they would be told to leave. Provost Murray Conaghan said: 'Excuse me, can I ask you to be quiet in the public gallery. It is a meeting in public not a meeting for you to contribute to. 'You sit there and be quiet during the meeting or I will ask you to leave. If you can't be quiet you will have to leave and take your hand off the barrier.' The provost was then made aware that filming was taking place. Councillor Murray Conaghan continued: 'There is no filming permitted. If you continue to film you will be asked to leave now. Please put your phone away.' Councillor Bollan was able to continue speaking on his motion. He said: 'The overt racist posters being displayed by Patriotic Alternative in Clydebank could be a precursor to the racist, violent behaviour we are seeing in Ireland at the moment, where non-whites are having their homes fire bombed because of the colour of their skin. 'Groups like Patriotic Alternative are cheerleaders for Reform, which is a racist party, and use the fact that the two larger political parties are not delivering for the policies needed by our working-class communities. 'That void is being used by extremists to blame refugees and asylum seekers as a divide and conquer tactic, commonly used by racists. By supporting this motion West Dunbartonshire Council will be sending a clear message that we are anti racist and inclusive of all races. 'Before I came into this meeting, I noticed some of the banners outside, which are overtly racist. It is unacceptable in West Dunbartonshire.' As councillors started to discuss the motion, the meeting was interrupted again as protesters continued to cause disruption and were asked to leave as a result. Provost Murray Conaghan told the public gallery: 'If you can't put your phone down and stop filming, I will ask you to leave the gallery. 'The recording is available at home, so you can listen to it there. You need to put your phone away. We will pause until we restore a bit of public order in the public gallery – sorry, members.' The group was escorted out by security, and the meeting resumed. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
John Swinney could light a path through the far-right fog
We've gone past the protest vote stage, and shifted to increasing adherence to an imagined world of tidy moral sorting, in which only the 'deserving' are allowed a stake. As Feher notes, and as Assa Samake-Roman rightly amplifies, this is not an accidental by-product of voter alienation, it's a stepping stone to unchallenged domination. READ MORE: John Swinney launches report showing Scotland 'must be in charge of destiny' In that context, the leaked comments of Patriotic Alternative founder Mark Collett (as published in The Sunday National on May 18) are essential reading. Collett boasted of 'massive shifts in the Overton Window' and spoke openly of influencing Reform UK from within by fielding covert candidates. When bad-faith actors say the quiet part out loud, it's a good idea to take them seriously. So far, too few have done so. Labour won't, as they're too busy dancing to the tunes of Thatcher and Blair while invoking the ghost of socialism past. The LibDems are lost in a sea of 'balance,' on a novelty inflatable, and Alba have mistaken grudge for principle. The Greens might be allies, but their opportunism will require some grown-up restraint that they know they're capable of, but seem to begrudge at times. That leaves John Swinney almost alone in the political wilderness, with no dependable help coming. And yet, paradoxically, that might be where his strength lies. If Swinney has the courage to channel his inner John the Baptist (now that actual Baptist John Mason is rightly in exile), he could use this moment to reframe the SNP's message. Rather than vaguely resisting the far right, he could name the ideological architecture that underpins it. He could show how SNP policies such as public ownership, progressive taxation, and free prescriptions counteract the moral rot of producerism not with slogans, but with solidarity. READ MORE: UK 'feeding Scotland poison pills', John Swinney says To do so would require abandoning defensive posturing and leaning fully into moral clarity. The right have not made gains because their ideas are better, they've done so because they've fabricated a more engaging story. The rapt audience hears a rousing tale of identity, contribution, and resentment in which they're the put-upon hero fighting off 'bad hombres', and the good guys win and make everyone rich. Those on the relative-left (whose stance is actually not massively left-of-centre, but deeply grounded in nuance and justice) need to tell a different story: one that acknowledges complexity, foregrounds care, and reminds people that dignity is not a zero-sum game. We need to highlight the same old parasitism that prevails in Farage's fairy story. Swinney cannot expect applause from the usual corners, but if he speaks clearly to those who still believe in decency and shared fate, he may yet light a path through the fog. He needs to offer hope, while properly addressing the very real threat posed by this perilous political shift. Ron Lumiere via email IS honest John Swinney our latter-day Nero? The latest internet bot tried to persuade me that Nero fiddling while Rome burned had, like a lot of urban myths, no basis in historical fact – particularly since he was an accomplished lyre player and the fiddle hadn't yet been invented – but why let the facts get in the way of a good story? However, it's a handy phrase when you want to describe someone ignoring a crisis or neglecting serious matters. The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election isn't a serious matter in the grand scheme of things, but a mealy-mouthed approach to the impending Holyrood election most certainly is. READ MORE: Yes campaigners react to John Swinney speech on independence Last week we learned that Alexander Dennis is closing with the loss of 400 jobs. It is described as the largest bus and coach manufacturer in the United Kingdom, with a 50% market share in 2019, and is based in Larbert. You might expect the First Minister to come out fighting but instead he offers the usual platitudes … no stone left unturned, will explore all options. How many times have we been here before? Last month we lost our one and only refinery and we all know about the reserved powers. But where was the fight, particularly since the company of billionaire Jim Ratcliffe was given a €700 million (£600m) UK Government guarantee to build a petrochemical plant in Antwerp, the biggest in 30 years? An industrial policy disaster for Scotland and surrendered without a fight. READ MORE: New Dumfries and Galloway Council leader admits 'vulnerable' position Swinney's steady-as-you-go attitude and trying to 'govern sensibly' to build support for indy simply won't wash any more. As for his wishy-washy Cabinet reshuffle … for one thing, the Constitution Secretary should have been reshuffled oot the door given his penchant for photo ops with the Israeli ambassador. His real and culpable failure, however, is being taken in by civil servants and studiously ignoring the opportunity for our country's freedom presented by incorporating the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights into Scots law. The Covenant is unambiguous, in Part 1 Article 1: 'All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.' Those behind the petition (PE2135) have clearly established the nonsense spouted by the civil service that adoption of the convention in an infringement of reserved powers in the Scotland Act. The Great Fire of Rome lasted for six days and destroyed a large portion of the city, and rumours were that Nero ordered the fire so he could rebuild the city in his own image. God save us all from Emperor John's image of more and better devolution, which threatens an electorate so disillusioned that Holyrood will once again become a political enclave of North Britain. Iain Bruce Nairn
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Call to remove 'racist' banners from Clydebank bandstand
Jim Bollan of West Dunbartonshire Community Party will present a motion at the full council meeting next week, asking the local authority to take down all banners, posters, flags, flyers and photos at the bandstand. 'You pay, migrants stay' and 'Migrants adored, pensioners ignored' feature on the banners which appear most Wednesdays at the space next to the Clyde Shopping Centre. Call to remove 'racist' banners from Clydebank bandstand. (Image: YouTube) In a video posted on YouTube, a logo for Patriotic Alternative, a far-right group, is seen before photos of the banners at the bandstand are shown. Cllr Bollan is asking the council to agree to remove any of these items from the authority-owned landmark that don't have prior written consent. He has claimed the group congregating there are "spreading far-right, neo-nazi and white nationalist" agenda in the town. Police Scotland has previously stated that they have visited the area on numerous occasions; however, no criminality has been established. Videos posted to Youtube show officers approaching the bandstand. (Image: YouTube) Cllr Bollan said: "Patriotic Alternative (PA) is a racist organisation who are not welcome in West Dunbartonshire. They were at the forefront of harassing and intimidating asylum seekers being housed in the hotel in Erskine by the government recently. "People fleeing violence and possible death in their own country were being bullied and attacked by racist members of the PA because they were non white. "They are now trying to spread their far right, neo nazi, white nationalist agenda in Clydebank and it needs to be confronted by the local council, organisations and the wider community. PA also oppose LGBT rights, which is also divisive and abhorrent. "We have a diverse community in West Dunbartonshire and we need to ensure that no individual or ethnic group are singled out because of the colour of their skin. "The Trade Unions have been at the forefront of exposing the racists locally, and we all need to build on their action to drive the racist PA out of West Dunbartonshire". A statement previously supplied by West Dunbartonshire Council says, without special permission, "notices, posters or flags are not permitted to be affixed to the bandstand and therefore the Council can and will remove these."
