The Reform leader is exploiting growing resentment towards migrants and hosting a sold-out event - something unimaginable just a few years ago

• Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Almost 13 years ago, at a press briefing to launch Ukip’s first Scottish byelection campaign, Nigel Farage was run out of Edinburgh by jeering protesters. Back then, Ukip’s support was running at nearly 25% in the English local elections, and less than 1% in Scotland.

On Saturday, Farage will venture back across the border to host a sold-out Reform UK campaign event in Falkirk, a town which has recently seen angry demonstrations outside a hotel hosting asylum seekers.

Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Pupils from schools with differing demographics meet and play under charity scheme set up after city’s 2001 riots

• Donate to the Guardian Charity Appeal 2025 here

• Communities are our defence against hatred. Now, more than ever, we must invest in hope

On a bright wintry morning, Bradford’s majestic 19th-century city hall is alive with children’s laughter, chatter and songs. Sixty girls and boys are playing games and dancing in the banqueting suite, they’re making art in the civic reception room and amid the grandeur of the council chamber, where key decisions about the future of their city are made, they are sharing their hopes and dreams.

“I want to be a doctor,” says one pupil from the tiered benches where the city’s councillors sit. “I want to be a doctor and a teacher,” says another. “I want to be a pilot and a neurosurgeon,” says a third. The children are also asked about their hopes for Bradford. “That we have our own snow leopard,” was one rather magnificent recent response.

Pupils from schools with differing demographics meet and play under charity scheme set up after city’s 2001 riots

• Donate to the Guardian Charity Appeal 2025 here

• Communities are our defence against hatred. Now, more than ever, we must invest in hope

On a bright wintry morning, Bradford’s majestic 19th-century city hall is alive with children’s laughter, chatter and songs. Sixty girls and boys are playing games and dancing in the banqueting suite, they’re making art in the civic reception room and amid the grandeur of the council chamber, where key decisions about the future of their city are made, they are sharing their hopes and dreams.

“I want to be a doctor,” says one pupil from the tiered benches where the city’s councillors sit. “I want to be a doctor and a teacher,” says another. “I want to be a pilot and a neurosurgeon,” says a third. The children are also asked about their hopes for Bradford. “That we have our own snow leopard,” was one rather magnificent recent response.

The Reform leader is exploiting growing resentment towards migrants and hosting a sold-out event - something unimaginable just a few years ago

• Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Almost 13 years ago, at a press briefing to launch Ukip’s first Scottish byelection campaign, Nigel Farage was run out of Edinburgh by jeering protesters. Back then, Ukip’s support was running at nearly 25% in the English local elections, and less than 1% in Scotland.

On Saturday, Farage will venture back across the border to host a sold-out Reform UK campaign event in Falkirk, a town which has recently seen angry demonstrations outside a hotel hosting asylum seekers.

Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Pupils from schools with differing demographics meet and play under charity scheme set up after city’s 2001 riots

• Donate to the Guardian Charity Appeal 2025 here

• Communities are our defence against hatred. Now, more than ever, we must invest in hope

On a bright wintry morning, Bradford’s majestic 19th-century city hall is alive with children’s laughter, chatter and songs. Sixty girls and boys are playing games and dancing in the banqueting suite, they’re making art in the civic reception room and amid the grandeur of the council chamber, where key decisions about the future of their city are made, they are sharing their hopes and dreams.

“I want to be a doctor,” says one pupil from the tiered benches where the city’s councillors sit. “I want to be a doctor and a teacher,” says another. “I want to be a pilot and a neurosurgeon,” says a third. The children are also asked about their hopes for Bradford. “That we have our own snow leopard,” was one rather magnificent recent response.

The Reform leader is exploiting growing resentment towards migrants and hosting a sold-out event - something unimaginable just a few years ago

• Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Almost 13 years ago, at a press briefing to launch Ukip’s first Scottish byelection campaign, Nigel Farage was run out of Edinburgh by jeering protesters. Back then, Ukip’s support was running at nearly 25% in the English local elections, and less than 1% in Scotland.

On Saturday, Farage will venture back across the border to host a sold-out Reform UK campaign event in Falkirk, a town which has recently seen angry demonstrations outside a hotel hosting asylum seekers.

Dani Garavelli is a freelance journalist and columnist for the Herald

Forget heels, flats are back – with a glam new look. From velvet mary janes to sequined ballerinas, here are our top picks for a blister-free festive season

Mariah is on loop in the supermarket and your local cafe is doing gingerbread lattes. It’s officially the silly season. High street windows are filled with ideas for party dressing. There are sequin dresses and strokable velvet suiting, but look down and you’ll spot something a little more unusual. Gone are the customary towering heels. In their place? Sensible flats.

Now, if you are someone who genuinely loves wearing high heels, fine, no judgement, you keep doing you. But if you are someone who feels they should wear heels, rather than actually likes to, then good news – that way of thinking is very much over.

Forget heels, flats are back – with a glam new look. From velvet mary janes to sequined ballerinas, here are our top picks for a blister-free festive season

Mariah is on loop in the supermarket and your local cafe is doing gingerbread lattes. It’s officially the silly season. High street windows are filled with ideas for party dressing. There are sequin dresses and strokable velvet suiting, but look down and you’ll spot something a little more unusual. Gone are the customary towering heels. In their place? Sensible flats.

Now, if you are someone who genuinely loves wearing high heels, fine, no judgement, you keep doing you. But if you are someone who feels they should wear heels, rather than actually likes to, then good news – that way of thinking is very much over.

Forget heels, flats are back – with a glam new look. From velvet mary janes to sequined ballerinas, here are our top picks for a blister-free festive season

Mariah is on loop in the supermarket and your local cafe is doing gingerbread lattes. It’s officially the silly season. High street windows are filled with ideas for party dressing. There are sequin dresses and strokable velvet suiting, but look down and you’ll spot something a little more unusual. Gone are the customary towering heels. In their place? Sensible flats.

Now, if you are someone who genuinely loves wearing high heels, fine, no judgement, you keep doing you. But if you are someone who feels they should wear heels, rather than actually likes to, then good news – that way of thinking is very much over.