A recent poll reveals a startling stance among Reform UK members, with over half advocating for the deportation or departure of non-white British citizens born abroad. This finding comes amidst a political landscape where Reform leader Nigel Farage navigates a delicate balance between appealing to center-ground voters and managing pressure from his right-wing faction. The poll, conducted by Survation and commissioned by the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate (HnH), sheds light on the party's internal dynamics and the potential impact of its policies on public perception.
The survey, which surveyed 629 Reform members, uncovered a concerning trend. 54% of respondents believed that non-white British citizens born abroad should be forcibly removed or encouraged to leave. This sentiment extends to non-white citizens whose parents were born in the UK, with 22% of members supporting similar measures. These findings have sparked discussions about the party's stance on immigration and its potential implications for social cohesion.
The poll's release coincides with the publication of HnH's annual "State of Hate" report, which highlights the rise of explicitly racial nationalism within the party. HnH's chief executive, Nick Lowles, warns of the potential disillusionment among Reform members as policies are adjusted to cater to more moderate voters. The group also draws attention to the support for hardline figures like Rupert Lowe and Tommy Robinson, who advocate for mass deportations and a strict definition of English identity based on "blood and ancestry".
The report further emphasizes the growing influence of far-right ideologies, with a focus on the "remigration" concept, which echoes ideas of ethnic cleansing and forced repatriation in a more bureaucratic guise. HnH argues that these views are breaking into the mainstream with the backing of Reform UK and media allies, linking them to the backlash against Black Lives Matter and interventions by figures like Matthew Goodwin and Suella Braverman.
Goodwin, who recently lost a byelection, refused to disown his controversial statement that UK-born people from minority ethnic backgrounds are not necessarily British. Similarly, Braverman, in a Telegraph article, expressed her pride in being a British Asian but not English, echoing the far-right's racialized views on identity. HnH's analysis suggests that the far-right movement is becoming more prominent, confrontational, and aligned with Restore Britain, a new party attracting support from various activists.
The "unite the kingdom" rally led by Tommy Robinson, which drew over 150,000 people, is highlighted as a significant development. HnH's polling indicates that a quarter of the British population has a positive view of Robinson's movement. The group also notes the rise of anti-migrant protests, particularly in areas with large asylum seeker populations, which have persisted through winter and are expected to intensify during the summer months.
