The Conservative candidate going up against Nigel Farage in Clacton on 4 July has described Reform UK rallies as “reminiscent of the big rallies at Nuremberg” where Adolf Hitler addressed supporters of the Nazi Party.
Watling, who has been the MP for the Essex seat since 2017, said recent rallies are “chilling” and a “very un-British way of doing things”.
He told PoliticsHome: “I’m not ascribing any of these sort of things to Nigel Farage himself but the method, the process is just sort of reminiscent of the big rallies at Nuremberg with people standing to one side. It’s a personality cult that’s been created.”
He added: “There may be no evil intent, but it feels wrong and bad.”
Watling said there was “beautiful irony” that there has been “defacement” of his campaign posters by people “painting over my face and turning me into Adolf Hitler”.
Farage told PoliticsHome: “Watling shows contempt for the thousands of decent people who turned up in Birmingham yesterday and those who come to my rallies in Clacton. They are decent, law abiding citizens. How dare he insult them like that.”
On Sunday Farage, who is expected to be elected as an MP for the first time at Thursday’s General Election, held a rally in front of a crowd of an estimated 5,000 Reform supporters at the Birmingham NEC.
He received chants of “Nigel!” and supporters wearing t-shirts and masks with his face on. The party’s chief executive, Paul Oakden, opened the event saying: “Make Britain Great Again” — mimicking Donald Trump’s “Make American Great Again” slogan.
Farage announced early in the election campaign that he was taking over as Reform leader, replacing the party’s now-president Richard Tice. The party has risen in the polls since that announcement and has been level with Rishi Sunak’s Tories with some pollsters. While Reform is unlikely to win more than several seats on Thursday, it could do significant damage to the Conservatives by taking votes away from the party.
In recent days, however, Farage’s party has been engulfed in a racism row which is threatening to overshadow the last few days of the party’s campaign ahead of polling day on 4 July.
Earlier this month, Reform candidate Ian Gribbin apologised for claiming that Britain would be “far better” off if it had “taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality” instead of fighting the Nazis in the Second World War.
Another Reform candidate Jack Aaron has defended a previous claim that Hitler was “brilliant” and “able to inspire people to action”. Approached by The Times about his February 2022 remarks on X, Aaron said: “Yes, Hitler was as brilliant as he was utter evil. How is that controversial to say, given that he was able to turn the Germans to such destructive acts, including killing many members of my own family?”
One of its canvassers Andrew Parker was filmed by an undercover Channel Four News journalist making a number of discriminatory comments, including using the racial slur “p***” to describe Prime Minister Sunak, calling Islam as a “disgusting cult”, and saying the army should “shoot” migrants crossing the Channel.
Farage has claimed that Parker is a “paid actor” who was part of a “smear campaign” against the party.
On Sunday, Liam Booth-Isherwood, the candidate representing the Reform party in the Erewash constituency, made a surprising announcement. In a move that shocked many of his supporters, he declared his endorsement for the Conservative party. Booth-Isherwood explained that his decision was a result of his growing disappointment and disillusionment with the conduct and behavior of the Reform party in recent weeks.
The Reform party, which had initially captured Booth-Isherwood’s allegiance with its promises of change and progressive policies, had unfortunately failed to live up to his expectations. Over the past few weeks, he had observed a series of unsettling reports regarding widespread racism and sexism within the party’s ranks. These disturbing revelations had deeply troubled Booth-Isherwood and caused him to question his association with the Reform party.
The candidate, known for his strong stance on equality and fairness, could no longer ignore the alarming allegations that had surfaced. The reports of racism and sexism within the Reform party had tarnished its reputation and undermined the ideals that initially attracted Booth-Isherwood to the party. As a candidate who firmly believes in fostering an inclusive society, he could not align himself with an organization plagued by such discriminatory practices.
With a heavy heart, Booth-Isherwood made the difficult decision to withdraw his support for the Reform party and shift his endorsement towards the Conservative party. He believed that the Tories, despite their imperfections, demonstrated a stronger commitment to addressing societal issues in a fair and unbiased manner.
Booth-Isherwood’s decision sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as many had expected him to remain loyal to the Reform party. However, his principled stance against racism and sexism ultimately guided his choice. By aligning himself with the Conservative party, he hoped to contribute to a more inclusive and progressive agenda, one that would not tolerate any form of discrimination.
While the Reform party suffered a blow with Booth-Isherwood’s departure, his decision served as a wake-up call for the party leadership. The reports of widespread racism and sexism within their ranks forced them to confront these issues head-on and take immediate action to address them. The party now faced the daunting task of rebuilding its reputation and restoring the trust of its supporters.
Meanwhile, Booth-Isherwood’s endorsement of the Conservative party propelled him into a new political realm. He hoped that his decision would help shape a more inclusive and just society, free from the toxic elements that had plagued his former party. As a staunch advocate for equality, he would undoubtedly continue to fight for the ideals he believed in, regardless of his political affiliation.
In the end, Liam Booth-Isherwood’s choice to back the Tories after growing disillusioned with the Reform party’s behavior and the disturbing reports of racism and sexism demonstrated his unwavering commitment to principles of fairness, equality, and justice. His decision would undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the political landscape of Erewash and beyond.
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2024-07-01 14:28:00
