Steve Walker - [email protected]

Over the last few days engaging on the @IpswichTown debacle I have been called a fascist on numerous occasions. The real danger to our democracy is not Reform UK, it is the refusal to treat its voters and ideas as legitimate participants in the national conversation. Why This Matters Calling a major democratic party “fascist” or “evil” does three things that erode democratic health: 1. Delegitimises millions of voters. This is the politics of exclusion, not persuasion. 2. Trivialises real fascism. 3. Poisons debate and justifies illiberal tactics. If opponents are “fascists,” then censorship, no-platforming, or even street disruption can be framed as anti-fascist duty. Reform UK is not a fascist party. The claim is factually baseless and undermines democratic debate in the UK. Historians describe fascism as ultranationalist authoritarianism that rejects parliamentary institutions in favour of one-party rule and violence against enemies. Benito Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germany remain the defining examples; both dismantled democratic norms, banned rival parties, and used state terror. Reform UK matches none of these traits. It is a registered democratic party that contests elections and operates within the UK’s parliamentary system. In the 2024 general election it won 14.3 % of the vote and five seats in the House of Commons, a normal outcome for a new party, not the behaviour of fascists who reject ballots altogether. Its 2024 manifesto, Our Contract with You, and current policy platform explicitly endorse free speech, lower taxes, reduced government waste, and British sovereignty through democratic means. Core Policies. None Are Fascist • Immigration: Freeze non-essential migration, leave the ECHR to enable deportation of illegal entrants and foreign criminals, end indefinite leave to remain, and introduce stricter visas. The goal is stated as protecting wages, housing, public services, and “British culture and values.” This is restrictive nationalism, not racial supremacy or ethnic cleansing. Economy: Raise the income-tax threshold to £20,000 (taking seven million people out of tax), cut corporation tax to 15 %, abolish inheritance tax under £2 million, scrap stamp duty on homes under £750,000, and reduce business regulation. These are classically liberal, small-government measures, the opposite of fascist economic regimentation. Energy and Net Zero: Scrap net-zero subsidies (£30 billion annual saving), fast-track North Sea oil, gas, and nuclear. Again, market-oriented, not state-directed autarky. NHS and Public Services: Increase funding while cutting waste, offer tax relief for private care to reduce waiting lists, and recruit more doctors and nurses. Pragmatic reform, not authoritarian control. Policing and Justice: More officers, zero-tolerance on crime, tougher sentencing standard law-and-order conservatism. Democracy and Free Speech: Constitutional reforms include leaving the ECHR, reforming the House of Lords and civil service, ending postal-vote fraud risks, and a free-speech bill. The party explicitly defends free expression against “DEI quotas” and “guilt politics.” These positions are controversial, especially on migration, but they are argued for through elections, not street violence or dictatorship. Reform fields candidates from diverse backgrounds, condemns violence, and seeks votes, not power through force. No manifesto, speech, or parliamentary vote from Reform calls for banning parties, suppressing the press, or creating a one-party state. Serious analysts distinguish populist parties from actual fascists precisely because the former seek electoral victory within democracy while the latter destroy it. Democracy requires the ability to argue without being branded irredeemable. Britain’s tradition of robust, sometimes brutal, political argument survived the actual fascists of the 1930s because voters could hear all sides and judge.

Nigel Farage says all mass religious observances should be banned. #Echobox=1773939843-1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">news.stv.tv/politics/nigel…

Just spoke to @POTUS about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake. The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure. The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way.