STOP REFORM UK

Reform UK is a far-right party

A clear majority of the UK public think that Reform UK is a far-right party. A poll conducted for HOPE not hate of 7,000 people found that 60% of the public view Reform UK as a “far-right populist party”. (p27 state of hate report https://hopenothate.org.uk/state-of-hate-2025/) 


Key Themes of Far-Right Politics and How They Apply to Reform UK

  1. Thrive on division: instead of offering real solutions, far-right parties fuel anger and resentment, undermining trust in democracy, targeting vulnerable communities, and positioning themselves as the only ones who “tell the truth.”
  2. They exploit public frustration: millions of people feel let down by mainstream politics, and Reform UK is tapping into that disillusionment to push their own extreme agenda.
  3. Racist and Xenophobic Rhetoric: Far-right movements often use rhetoric that targets ethnic minorities, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has been described as engaging in this kind of discourse, particularly focusing on asylum seekers and Muslims.
  4. Undermining Democracy: Far-right groups tend to challenge the legitimacy of democratic processes. Farage has repeatedly questioned election results, particularly when they don’t align with his political agenda, invoking racial or ethnic factors as supposed explanations.
  5. Attacks on Human Rights: Far-right groups often advocate for policies that undermine human rights or reject international human rights frameworks. For instance, Farage has called for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, a fundamental human rights treaty.
  6. Populism and Elite Conspiracy: A hallmark of the far-right is a populist rhetoric that frames political elites as corrupt or as enemies of “the people.” Farage frequently portrays himself as fighting for ordinary citizens against a powerful, corrupt elite, fostering division and mistrust in democratic institutions.
  7. A narrative of the nation in crisis and decay so a radical response is needed. The “nation” is defined as an in-group that is under attack from an external group or enemy. Reform UK defines this out-group as migrants, asylum seekers and Muslims.


Far-Right vs. Fascism

  • It’s important to note the distinction between far-right and fascism. While fascism is an extreme form of far-right ideology that seeks to dismantle democracy altogether, far-right politics can include less extreme groups that still support core democratic structures but reject elements of liberal democracy. 
  • Reform UK fits into the “non-fascist far-right” category because it maintains a commitment to democracy in some sense, while still promoting anti-democratic ideas, such as the rejection of universal human rights. 
  • While Farage and the leadership of Reform UK try to distance themselves from overt fascism, there are clear overlaps between their anti-immigrant rhetoric and far-right extremism. There are already tensions within the party regarding how closely it should align with figures like Tommy Robinson, who represents a more explicitly far-right, street-level movement. 


Farage’s Role

Farage is positioned as the face of Reform UK, and his long history of controversial statements aligns with far-right rhetoric, including advocating for the rejection of key democratic values like the European Convention on Human Rights and using language that fuels xenophobia.


The Dangers of Normalizing Far-Right Rhetoric

Failing to accurately describe groups like Reform UK as far-right is harmful. Reform UK’s rise is part of a broader trend of far-right parties gaining traction in Europe and North America. As Reform gains ground, there is a risk that it will normalize discriminatory, anti-immigrant views and policies. This could embolden more extreme factions within the party, making it harder to draw a clear line between Reform and fascist ideologies. 


The Importance of Terminology, Reform UK is a far-right party

Using precise terminology—specifically the term far-right—is essential to correctly characterize the policies and ideologies of groups like Reform UK. By downplaying or avoiding the label, there’s a risk of normalizing harmful politics that undermine democratic values and human rights.


(Sources: https://bylinetimes.com/2024/10/07/why-reform-uk-is-far-right/, https://hopenothate.org.uk/2024/09/24/reform-uk-are-far-right-heres-why/)