Alarming poll reveals stark views within Reform UK membership on non-white citizens!
It appears a significant portion of members within Nigel Farage's Reform UK party hold deeply concerning views regarding non-white British citizens born abroad, with a recent poll indicating a majority believe they should be compelled to leave the country or be actively encouraged to do so. This revelation comes at a critical juncture for Reform UK as its leader navigates the delicate task of appealing to centrist voters while simultaneously contending with pressure from the more hardline elements on the party's right flank. Adding to this internal dynamic is the emergence of a new party spearheaded by Rupert Lowe, a figure who recently departed Reform after disagreements with Farage.
These striking findings stem from the first publicly accessible poll conducted among Reform UK members, commissioned by the anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate (HnH). The research, carried out by the reputable polling firm Survation, surveyed 629 Reform members between January 29th and February 16th. The results are quite eye-opening: 54% of Reform members surveyed indicated that non-white British citizens born outside the UK should face forced removal or be encouraged to depart. Even more concerning, one in five (22%) extended this sentiment to non-white citizens whose parents were born in the UK.
Hope Not Hate, known for its annual 'State of Hate' report, has characterized these findings as clear evidence of underlying tensions within Mr. Farage's party. Nick Lowles, the chief executive of HnH, commented on the potential for disillusionment among some members if Reform UK were to moderate its policies to attract broader support or, hypothetically, form a government. He suggested that such shifts could lead to significant dissatisfaction among a segment of their membership.
But here's where it gets controversial... The poll also highlighted considerable support among Reform UK members for two of Farage's right-wing rivals: Rupert Lowe and the activist Tommy Robinson. A substantial two-thirds of respondents expressed a positive view of Lowe, who has recently launched his own party, Restore Britain, and openly advocates for mass deportations. This suggests a strong alignment of views on certain hardline policies within the party's membership.
Hope Not Hate, with its decades of experience monitoring far-right activities, is sounding an alarm about the growing influence of a more overtly racial nationalism. This ideology, they explain, defines English identity through notions of 'blood and ancestry.' The report warns that the proposed solutions stemming from this perspective, such as 'remigration,' are essentially a repackaging of older, more sinister concepts like ethnic cleansing and forced repatriation, albeit presented in a more palatable, bureaucratic language.
And this is the part most people miss... The report further cautions that these extreme views on who truly belongs as British or English are not confined to the fringes but are increasingly seeping into the mainstream, bolstered by the support of Reform UK and amplified by certain media outlets. HnH draws a direct line between the racially charged identity politics espoused by far-right activists during the backlash to the Black Lives Matter movement and recent pronouncements from prominent Reform UK figures like Matthew Goodwin and Suella Braverman.
For instance, Matthew Goodwin, who recently lost a byelection, notably refused to retract his assertion that UK-born individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds are not necessarily British. He previously stated, "It takes more than a piece of paper to make somebody ‘British.’" Similarly, following a debate sparked by podcaster Konstantin Kisin's claim that Southampton-born Rishi Sunak was not English, Suella Braverman wrote in The Telegraph that while she was a proud British Asian, she was not English.
According to HnH, the UK's far-right landscape is now characterized by being 'bigger, bolder, and more confrontational.' The report also points to Restore Britain as a factor in realigning the far-right, attracting support from various factions, though it remains a somewhat fragile coalition.
A significant development highlighted by HnH is the 'unite the kingdom' rally held in London last year, led by Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon). This event saw over 150,000 people take to the streets, marking the largest far-right protest in British history. Further polling by Focaldata for HnH, surveying 8,185 people nationally, indicates that a quarter of the British population identifies positively with Robinson's movement.
Robinson is currently in the US, where he has been warmly received by right-wing figures, including a political appointee at the State Department and a congressman. This international engagement further underscores the growing visibility and reach of these movements.
The report also shines a light on the persistent wave of anti-migrant protests, which saw a resurgence in Epping last July outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. HnH tracked a total of 251 such demonstrations throughout 2025. A particularly worrying trend noted is the continuation of these protests through the winter months in key areas, with some attracting thousands of attendees. The report anticipates a significant surge in activity as the warmer summer months approach.
What are your thoughts on these poll findings? Do you believe a political party should distance itself from such views within its membership, or is it a reflection of broader public sentiment? Share your opinions in the comments below!
