‘Reform UK is endlessly demanding more durable guidelines for everybody else – now it should face identical scrutiny’
‘Reform has built its entire base around sovereignty, hard borders and suspicion of those coming from abroad. Yet when foreign money appears anywhere near its own political operation, those principles suddenly appear to be far less rigid.’
Voice of the Mirror has its say…
The Metropolitan Police is investigating claims that Reform UK may have broken donation rules after polling commissioned by the party was allegedly paid for by a US company.
Nigel Farage says no law was broken and has brushed off comments his aides were caught on camera saying as “loose pub talk”. That defence does little to disguise the rank hypocrisy.
Reform has built its entire base around sovereignty, hard borders and suspicion of those coming from abroad. Yet when foreign money appears anywhere near its own political operation, those principles suddenly appear to be far less rigid.
There is nothing trivial about this. Foreign companies are barred from funding political parties because British democracy should not be bought or shaped from abroad.
Reform is forever demanding tougher rules for everyone else. Now it must face the same scrutiny. A party that shouts so loud about protecting Britain should be held to the highest standard if there is speculation of foreign cash coming anywhere close to its coffers.
Safety for all
There can be no uncertainty about the rise in antisemitic abuse and attacks on Britain’s Jewish community. It is both vile and frightening, and it must be confronted wherever it appears. But compassion cannot stop at one community’s door.
Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank are entitled to the same dignity, rights and protection from violence. The government is right to act against illegal settlements and the violence linked to them. Jewish people who fear sanctions could fuel hatred deserve to be heard, and those fears should never be dismissed.
Criticism of the Israeli government must never be confused with hostility towards Jewish people, just as concern for Palestinians is not support for Hamas. Our principles must be consistent. Antisemitism must be condemned without qualification, while Palestinian suffering, intimidation and dispossession demand equal moral judgement.
Life support
The hardest battles are often the ones nobody else can see. Prince William, Harry Kane and some of Britain’s biggest sporting names are right to use sport’s extraordinary reach to help people speak before crisis becomes tragedy. One conversation can bring hope, support and, at the darkest moment, a lifeline.
