Reform UK leaders in Dudley have pushed back against accusations that their party is divisive, defending their record ahead of the local elections on May 7. The party, led by Nigel Farage, has been riding high in opinion polls but facing fierce criticism over its tough immigration policies.
Political Attacks Prompts Response
Among those attacking Reform was Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who in March criticised Farage's 'Trump-style politics' and accused some politicians of dividing communities rather than fixing them. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reportedly told a cabinet meeting that Reform feeds on 'grievance, decline and division'.
Councillor Shaun Keasey, leader of the Reform group on Dudley Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "On social media; Nazi, fascist is thrown at Reform all the time – and you've just asked if Reform is the divisive party? Politics is a vile place to be at the moment, there is no respect like there used to be, no sitting down communicating and working together. It's who can throw the worst insult at their opponent to try and get that 'gotcha' moment. That's not my kind of politics – I will go for the policies but I think it's unfair to label Reform divisive when it's probably the recipient of the most divisive communications out there."
Death Threats and Unfairness
Former MP Marco Longhi, chair of Dudley Reform and candidate for Upper Gornal and Woodsetton ward, said he has received death threats over his views on immigration. He stated: "I want to always put Dudley people first and I will put this country and its people first. You are seeing folk thinking they have been dealt a raw deal and that people who have never paid a penny in taxes, never been to this country and come from a culture alien to us are being offered everything they have had to sweat blood and tears to build over their lives – there is a deep-rooted sense of unfairness there."
Public Sentiment on Immigration
Cllr Keasey believes people feel 'gaslit' by other parties and are seeking an alternative. He said: "I don't think you will find anyone around here who is not fed up with immigration; I'm fed up with immigration. If everyone was living good lives, the roads were fixed, the bins were emptied, they had money in the bank and their kids had a better future than they did, would everyone be bothered about it – the answer is no. The issue is people in the country have been let down and the immigration issue is seen as unfair. People genuinely ask the question 'it looks as if people who come to this country illegally are getting a better deal than I am' whose fault is that 'cos it ain't Reform's?"
Breaking the Two-Party System
Mr Longhi added: "You've had a two-party system which has survived many decades and something has snapped among the psyche of the people. In Nigel Farage people see the only leader who is going to deal with the problems of the country. For me, politics is about the people and putting our people first, we will do it locally and we will do it nationally."
