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As Britain approaches the 1 May local council elections, it faces the alarming rise of a far-right political force. Reform UK, a party that has its roots in anti-EU sentiment and is steeped in Islamophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric, is gaining ground.
With its rise comes a serious threat to Muslims and other minority communities in Britain. The party’s record of Islamophobic rhetoric, racist remarks, and divisive policies represents a danger to social cohesion and the democratic fabric of this country.
Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, was rebranded in 2021 and gained a major boost with its leader Nigel Farage’s return to politics. Since he was elected as an MPS for Clactor, the party has achieved alarming electoral successes.
Most recently, Reform unseated Labour in the Tameside by-election in Greater Manchester and is predicted to make further gains in the Runcorn by-election, which coincides with the local elections.
These victories are not isolated. Reform now holds 113 council seats, including 66 Conservative defections. Polling shows they are rivalling Labour and the Conservatives, and in some areas, even leading.
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This surge mirrors a broader European trend of far-right advances such as the rise of parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD). In the 2024 general election, Reform secured 4.1 million votes, the largest ever vote share for a far-right party in the UK. Recent polls show their support growing, with some placing Reform ahead of both major parties.
Central to Reform’s appeal has been the weaponisation of immigration, Islamophobia and national identity. Reform presents itself as the voice of the forgotten, using sensationalist media coverage and social media to target voters. While most Reform supporters are older white men, support among younger age groups is rising. Reform dominated social media interactions during the election period and are the most boosted UK politicians on X. Their messaging resonates with a demographic increasingly drawn to populist narratives that blame immigrants and minorities for national decline.
Reform’s success has largely been driven by widespread public disillusionment with the political mainstream. Voters frustrated by Conservative failures and disappointed by Labour’s direction, particularly their proposed welfare cuts, have been drawn to Reform. A Hope Not Hate report found 68% of people feel ignored by politicians, a sentiment Reform exploits to push its divisive agenda.
Despite its denials, Reform UK is widely recognised by experts as a far-right party and has been identified as the biggest far-right threat in Britain today. Reform UK has also been embraced by extremist groups who see it as a legitimate path to power. During the 2024 general election, far-right groups and figures, including Tommy Robinson, Britain First, and Patriotic Alternative, urged their followers to support Reform.
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Mark Collett of Patriotic Alternative, praised Reform for campaigning on a platform “more right-wing than the BNP” and encouraged far-right extremists to infiltrate Reform UK to push it further toward far-right extremism. 28% of Reform voters support Tommy Robinson, highlighting the ideological overlap between Reform and fascist movements.
Farage and members of Reform UK have particularly targeted Muslims, fuelling Islamophobia. Farage himself has a long record of Islamophobic remarks, claiming Muslims do not share British values and “loathe much of what we stand for.” He has previously accused Muslim immigrants of wanting to “take us over”, stated some people believed them to be a “fifth column” and blamed Muslims for the rise of antisemitism in the UK. These statements suggest his Islamophobic credentials.
This hostility extends through the party. An undercover Channel 4 investigation recorded Reform canvassers making explicitly Islamophobic and racist comments. One campaigner described Islam as “the most disgusting cult out” and told voters Reform would be kicking Muslims out of mosques and converting them into pubs. This reflects a broader party culture that tolerates and even encourages bigotry.
Evidence also points to Islamophobia among Reform UK supporters. Facebook groups affiliated with the party are filled with xenophobic and Islamophobic content, perpetuating conspiracy theories about Muslims “taking over” the UK. In Reform-led constituencies, Muslims report feeling unsafe and unwilling to approach MPs due to fears of discrimination.
Reform UK’s hostility is not limited to Muslims. The party promotes a wider agenda rooted in racism and xenophobia. At a speech in County Durham, Nigel Farage, echoing Trump, criticised diversity, equity and inclusion policies, claiming they disadvantage white people and elevate minorities unfairly.
Farage also called for a “British equivalent of DOGE” to be established in every council, referring to the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency in the US. Farage has long aligned with far-right leaders like Viktor Orbán, Marine Le Pen, and Donald Trump. In 2016 he said, “I’ve watched the rise of the AfD with fascination, with interest, and I’ve been cheering on from the sidelines.”
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EXCLUSIVE: The Reform UK leader posed for pictures with the group of prominent far-right activists known for their extreme, racist and Islamophobic posts
The party’s policy proposals are equally concerning. Reform supports leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and repealing the UK Human Rights Act, moves that would strip away vital protections for minorities.
Reform’s candidate selection has also raised concerns. During the 2024 general election, several Reform candidates were dropped after being exposed for posting racist, Islamophobic, and conspiracy-laden content online. This reflects a pattern of deeply troubling culture within the party. Reform UK’s positions appear to threaten all minority groups by promoting policies and narratives that seek to exclude and marginalise, and thus we believe they pose a threat to the human rights of all minorities.
We believe Reform UK represents a growing threat to democracy, human rights, and social cohesion in Britain. Its rise has coincided with the mainstreaming of far-right rhetoric that fuels division, emboldens racists, and puts vulnerable communities, especially Muslims and minorities, at greater risk.
By apparently spreading Islamophobia and scapegoating minorities, the party distracts from real issues like economic inequality and underfunded public services. This dangerous shift demands a united response from all who value justice and equality. Britain’s future must not be shaped by fear and division, but by solidarity, inclusion, and respect for human rights.