Nigel Farage is ‘as we speak’s incarnation of Enoch Powell’s politics’ based on Labour minister who mentioned Reform chief was ‘on the facet of Jimmy Savile’
Nigel Farage is ‘today’s incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell’ according to Labour Business Secretary Peter Kyle.
The Cabinet minister, who sparked a furious row when he claimed the Reform leader was ‘on the side of Jimmy Savile‘ because of his opposition to the online safety law, also compared Reform to the fascist British National Party.
Speaking at the Co-operative Party conference, Mr Kyle said without sustained economic growth, ‘reconnecting people and politics, generating trust in the potential of democracy and importance of good government becomes almost impossible.
‘And the appeal of the parties of the far right – with their dogma of disruption, division and despair – it becomes, too, alluring.’
Mr Kyle added: ‘We see it today with Reform, just as we did in previous times with the National Front and the British National Party.
‘Lack of economic growth it is the cause. Nigel Farage, today’s incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell, is the effect.’
Enoch Powell, a former Conservative shadow minister, is widely remembered for his ‘rivers of blood’ speech in 1968 which was blamed for inflaming racial tensions at the time.
It is not the first time that Business Secretary Mr Kyle has sparred with Mr Farage.
Nigel Farage is ‘today’s incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell’ according to Labour Business Secretary Peter Kyle
The Labour Cabinet minister also compared Reform to the fascist British National Party
Earlier this year, Mr Farage made clear his opposition to the Government’s Online Safety Act.
In response, Mr Kyle – then the technology secretary – claimed people like Jimmy Savile would use the internet to exploit children if he was still alive, and insisted anyone against the Act, like Mr Farage, was ‘on their side’.
The Reform leader described the comments made in July as ‘absolutely disgusting’ and demanded an apology from Mr Kyle.
‘This is so absolutely disgusting that it’s almost beyond belief,’ he said. ‘Just how low can the Labour government sink in its desperation..
‘They’re well behind us in the opinion polls. But frankly, to say that I would do anything that would in any way aid and abet people like Jimmy Savile, it’s so below the belt.’
The Co-operative Party, which is affiliated with Labour via a longstanding electoral pact, also heard from the Communities Secretary, Steve Reed.
He also spoke about parties and politicians ‘who feed off the decline and division’, pointing to Reform UK.
Mr Reed added: ‘But whatever our differences in our backgrounds, wherever we come from, people have a shared interest in making their own community as successful as it can be, so that is where we must build the bridges that bring people together.’
Reform UK was contacted for comment.
