Reform UK, a right-wing populist party, aims to build on its recent successes in the polls and recent byelections by introducing new policies and candidates at a rally in Doncaster this Saturday, February 25.
In response to past controversies involving offensive remarks made by some candidates, the party has implemented a new vetting process.
This comes after one candidate was removed for making derogatory comments about transgender and non-binary individuals and for calling gay pride a “sin” online.
The candidate in question, who was running for Henley and Thames, was dismissed from the party due to his unacceptable statements.
Despite efforts to address concerns about extremism and conspiracy theories within the party, criticisms persist.
Analysts noted efforts to remove controversial online content from selected candidates’ profiles, though some problematic statements remain on the party’s website.
For instance, Tony Glover, Reform UK’s candidate for Poplar and Limehouse, falsely claimed that Labour MP Apsana Begum has connections to extremist groups like Hamas.
Begum said, “Such false and defamatory allegations are not only Islamophobic but further add to the situation I am facing with regard to increasing far-right threats to my safety – including death threats”.
Developments From Reform UK’s Recent Political Landscape
In addition to veterans from the party’s prior Brexit-era counterparts, Reform’s roster of candidates includes individuals expressing opposition to “globalists,” a term that is widely regarded as an antisemitic trope in various circles.
Nigel Farage has faced criticism from Jewish groups for his use of the term, although Reform UK sources asserted that they “reject the idea that being uncomfortable with the Davos agenda is in any way antisemitic.”
The party’s website showcases other Reform UK candidates who raise concerns about “The Great Reset,” an abstract concept that originated from the World Economic Forum but has garnered attention among conspiracy theorists.
Notably, certain candidate profiles have been removed from the party’s website, including one individual who characterized climate change as “benign.”
Another candidate, Robert Hall-Palmer in Newark, aligned with Reform UK leadership’s skepticism towards net zero, describing it as “a dangerous false ideology that can only bring harm.”
However, an earlier version of his profile minimized the role of human activity in climate change, made false claims about the UAE’s stance on climate science at Cop28, and endorsed what he referred to as “Russia’s theory on hydrocarbons.”
Reform’s leader, Richard Tice, made headlines this week for dismissing the Henley and Thames candidate. He said, “They’ve all been instructed not to engage in such behavior. And if they do, they will be dismissed. It’s that straightforward.”
The rally in Doncaster coincides with the upcoming byelection in Rochdale on Thursday, February 29, where the party is pinning its hopes on former Labour MP Simon Danczuk making a strong showing amidst Labour’s internal upheaval.
Notably absent from the list of speakers was Reform’s honorary president, Farage, as of Friday, February 23.
His recent appearance alongside former Tory leader Liz Truss at a right-wing conference in the US had fueled speculation about a potential return to the Conservative party.
A new poll unveiled on Friday, February 23 by the More In Common think tank underscores that it’s Farage, rather than Tice, who is drawing voters to Reform.
The polling also revealed that, unlike other voter demographics, immigration is the primary issue driving support for Reform.
Six in ten Reform UK voters cited the party’s immigration policies as a key factor in their decision to support it. A quarter of Reform UK voters were motivated by support for Nigel Farage, while only 7% rallied behind Tice.
In contrast to Reform’s stances on lockdowns and climate change, the polling indicated that these priorities rank low on the list of reasons why people are voting for the party, with many expressing pro-vaccine sentiments.
However, a notable portion of its voter base believes that addressing climate change should be a top priority for the next government.
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