Question Time Audience Member Brands Reform UK 'Care Home For Old Tories' In Brutal Assessment
Reform UK have been branded “a care home for old Tories” by a BBC Question Time audience member.
The brutal assessment came after a swathe of Conservative MPs defected to Nigel Farage’s right-wing party.
A remarkable 26 former Tory MPs have jumped ship, with four moving to Reform this month alone – Nadim Zahawai, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell and Suella Braverman.
During Thursday night’s edition of the long-running political debate show, a man in the audience said: “How can anyone think Reform are a party of change when they only appear to be a care home for old Tories?”
The remark drew laughter from members of the audience, and sparked a debate among those on the Question Time panel.
Shadow Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said: “I think they represent something far more profoundly challenging than simply a care home former Conservatives.
“If you look at the frankly disgusting, racist adverts that Reform ran against [Scottish Labour leader] Anas Sarwar, you would recognise they represent a politics of hatred, division and polarisation that I think should have no place, and not be the choice of the people of the United Kingdom in the coming months.”
That was a reference to a row last year after Reform posted an online campaign video alleging Sarwar will “prioritise the Pakistani community” if he becomes Scotland’s first minister.
The video compiled footage of several speeches from Sarwar, born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents, talking about political representation for South Asian communities – but he does not actually use the word “prioritise” in any of the clips.
Sarwar said: “It’s a very deliberate dog whistle, which seeks to question my identity, question my loyalty and question my belonging in Scotland.
“I’m a proud Scot, I was born here, my kids were born here. Every single day, I fight for a better Scotland, regardless of what anyone’s politics might be. For them to play this kind of campaign, I think demonstrates the kind of people they are.”