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A dispute has arisen between Nigel Farage and the National Education Union (NEU), the largest teaching union in Britain, following the union’s characterization of Reform UK as a “racist and far-right” party.
During its annual conference, NEU members advocated for utilizing union funds to campaign against candidates representing Reform UK.
NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede asserted that many individuals with racist ideologies are becoming involved in Reform UK.
Farage responded to Kebede’s remarks with indignation, accusing him of promoting the “indoctrination of teenagers in our schools” and threatening that his party would “go to war” with teaching unions if they secured victory in the next general election.
As leader of Reform UK, Farage is pushing for stricter measures against illegal immigration and proposes a “one in, one out” system for legal migrants to alleviate pressure on public resources like housing and the National Health Service (NHS). He has consistently maintained that he does not harbor racist beliefs and has distanced himself from calls by some in his party to align with controversial activist Tommy Robinson.
Amidst last year’s general election campaign, which was marred by various racism incidents, Reform UK has intensified its vetting process for candidates ahead of the upcoming local elections in England scheduled for May.
At the NEU conference held in Harrogate, a motion was adopted labeling Reform UK as a “racist and far-right party,” citing its immigration policies and campaigns against migrants as the basis for this designation.
The union accused Reform UK of “scapegoating refugees, asylum seekers, Muslims, Jews, and other groups that do not align with their views.”
Moreover, members reached a consensus that the NEU should leverage its political fund to actively campaign against candidates from Reform UK, describing their anti-immigration policies and campaigns as inherently racist.
After the motion, Kebede described Farage as a “pound-shop Donald Trump” who has thrived on “dog-whistle politics,” while refraining from explicitly labeling him or his party as racist.
When asked if he disagreed with the motion, Kebede stated, “I believe there are many racists involved with Reform.” Upon being questioned if Farage fell into that category, he responded that Farage is a “right-wing populist.”
In a press conference held in County Durham, Farage dismissed Kebede’s comments, describing him as a “self-declared Marxist” encouraging harmful ideologies in schools. He claimed that Kebede aims to distort children’s understanding of their country and its history.
Farage emphasized, “Let me be clear: if we win the 2029 general election, we will confront the National Education Union and all leftist teaching unions. Education should be objective and fair, allowing students to think critically and form their own beliefs without indoctrination.”
Reform MP Lee Anderson echoed Farage’s sentiments, stating that the NEU had “revealed its true colors.” He criticized the union for seemingly prioritizing political indoctrination over the education of young people and for stifling free speech while engaging in divisive rhetoric.
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