Reform UK has made a controversial decision to support candidates who have spread conspiracy theories online, dismissed the climate emergency as “make-believe,” and shown skepticism towards vaccines.
These unconventional views were expressed by a group of seven candidates chosen to represent the right-wing populist party in the upcoming general election, with some targeting key seats.
By endorsing these beliefs, Reform UK has signaled its willingness to provide a platform for such candidates, proudly announcing them as prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs).
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One of the party’s supported views includes Chris Farmer’s assertion that the climate emergency was fabricated to facilitate the rise of dictators. The PPC for Gloucester also suggested that a group of mayors from major cities was exploiting the climate emergency to justify restrictions on private car usage.
Reform has also endorsed Trevor Lloyd-Jones’s online promotion of the 15-minute city conspiracy theory.
Lloyd-Jones, running as the party’s candidate in Aldershot, a key target for Reform, shared anti-vaccine content on Facebook and spread false information accusing former health secretary Matt Hancock of causing deaths with midazolam and attributing it to Covid.
The party has also supported Lynn Murphy, their candidate in Easington, another crucial seat, who dismissed the climate crisis as “make-believe” and challenged the notion of the world ending due to climate change.
Reform has faced criticism for dropping several PPCs due to their controversial views, raising concerns about the party’s vetting process despite polling in third place. Party leader Richard Tice defended the candidate selection process, stating that media scrutiny was necessary.
However, Reform’s stance seems to have shifted, with the party standing by a candidate accused of racist remarks, framing them as questioning the “leftwing establishment.”
Reform also deemed Hamish Haddow’s claim that the RNLI acts as a “taxi service for illegal immigrants” as acceptable behavior.
Haddow, the PPC for Chipping Barnet, previously withdrew as a Conservative candidate after expressing support for Vladimir Putin, which he later claimed was a joke. Despite this, he was still chosen by Reform.
The party has further endorsed Andrea Whitehead, who has promoted the chemtrail conspiracy theory online, alleging that vapor trails from aircraft are…
2024-05-02 01:13:50
Original from www.theguardian.com