I'm a Scottish politician campaigning for Kamala Harris in the US - here's what I'm doing

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has explained why he has flown to America to campaign for US presidential election nominee Kamala Harris.

Alex Cole-Hamilton has headed to the key swing state of Pennsylvania. He revealed he was inspired by hosting a displaced Ukrainian, as well as the “degradation” of women’s rights under former US president Donald Trump, who is running against Ms Harris.

Alex Cole-Hamilton at the airport | Picture: X/social media

Speaking to The Scotsman from upstate New York, Mr Cole-Hamilton said he would be knocking on doors for the Democrats as he explained why he felt compelled to go.

He said: “One of the principle reasons I felt inspired to come and out help was Ukraine. I had a Ukrainian refugee living with us for nine months and that experience brought home the visceral reality of what is going on and the sacrifices being made by Ukraine’s fighting men and women.

“There is no question that [Vladimir] Putin is holding on until a Trump presidency, and hoping that will choke off the arm support. I think that route leads to appeasement.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton described Mr Trump as “an appalling man”.

He added: “He doesn’t care about women unless they’re bending to his sexual desires, and he’s the biggest assaulter on their freedoms since the 1960s. So for all of those reasons, I felt I had to do something.

“We all survived one Trump presidency, we can survive another one. I just worry about the degradation of women’s rights and the degradation of democracy.”

It comes with nearly 100 Labour staffers heading to the US to campaign for Ms Harris, prompting Mr Trump's team to accuse the UK's Labour Party of election interference.

However, Mr Cole-Hamilton, who is funding his trip himself, said Brits heading to America to campaign was nothing new and stressed he had done so before.

“I saw a poll yesterday that showed how the majority of Brits want Kamala Harris to win,” he said. “I’m a political geek, I love elections. I love door knocking and listening to what makes people tick.

“I did it for [Barack] Obama in 2008, I felt it had value, and I think people finding Brits on their doorstep encouraging them to come out and vote, I think they find it amusing and interesting.

“I think a lot of Americans in 2008 hadn’t appreciated the interest from the world.”

The Scottish Parliament is in recess for the October break.