Tory chairman compares Reform’s ‘gold badge’ merch to a NAZI medal as tensions spike between right-wing rivals
Reform angrily lashed out at the Tories today after one of Nigel Farage‘s latest merchandise ideas was likened to a Nazi party membership reward.
Mr Farage yesterday teased the release of a black and gold badge with party branding on it, plus 2018, the year it was formed, and the slogan ‘family, community, country’.
But it prompted a furious exchange on X after Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake retweeted it with a link to the Wikipedia page for the ‘Golden Party Badge’.
This pin, adorned with a swastika, was first issued by Adolf Hitler in 1933 to Nazis who had uninterrupted membership since 1925.
It was then used as a personal award for service to the party and the state until 1945, when the fascists were defeated.
A Reform spokesman hit out, suggesting Mr Hollinrake was branding Reform members as Nazis, and demanding action from leader Kemi Badenoch.
Mr Farage added: ‘This is why they are on course to win 14 seats at the next election.’
Mr Farage yesterday teased the release of a golden badge with party branding on it, plus 2018, the year it was formed, and the slogan ‘family, community, country’ (below).
But it prompted a furious exchange on X after Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake retweeted it with a link to the Wikipedia page for the ‘Golden Party Badge’.
Adolf Hitler wearing his own Golden Party Badge, above the Iron Cross on his left breast pocket, at a meeting with Benito Mussolini
A Reform source said: ‘If you vote Reform, the chairman of the Conservative Party thinks you’re a Nazi. The Tory party somehow manages to sink further into the gutter.’
Alan Mendoza, a Westminster councillor who swapped the Tories for Reform last week, added: ‘Is Kevin Hollinrake out of his mind? Making a comparison between Reform and Nigel Farage to the Nazis is not only a disgraceful slur but also lazy and weak.’
But a Conservative spokesman hit back, saying: ‘Reform are more interested in tweets than the shame of their leader in Wales being jailed for 10 years for being Putin’s stooge, or their plan to scrap the two child benefit cap costing taxpayers more and more.
‘Reform need to get off social media and explain why they’re so cosy with Russia and want more welfare.’
