Reform UK Faces Backlash Over Candidates' Hate-Filled Online Posts

Reform UK is facing renewed criticism after multiple reports revealed that several of its local election candidates have posted hateful, Islamophobic, and far-right content online, despite party leader Nigel Farage's assurances of a strengthened vetting process. Investigations by anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate, alongside media outlets like the BBC, found candidates making statements such as calling for a 'nuke bomb' against Islam, labeling British cities with large Muslim populations as 'shitholes', and promoting conspiracy theories about Muslims replacing the native UK population. Farage has publicly stated that Reform UK now has a rigorous vetting system, claiming that hundreds of applicants were rejected for offensive or outrageous remarks. However, these findings suggest that problematic posts, some recent and some dating back years, were still visible when candidates were selected. Local opposition politicians and campaigners have called for immediate action and suspensions, arguing that sharing such views is unacceptable in mainstream politics. Reform UK has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the specific cases highlighted.