Reform UK Drops Mayoral Candidate Who Compared Jewish Group To 'Islamists On Horseback'

Reform UK has reportedly dropped a mayoral candidate after he compared a Jewish community group to “Islamists on horseback”.

Chris Parry was standing to be the mayor of Hampshire until he made the shocking remarks about members of Jewish neighbourhood safeguarding group called Shomrim.

His remarks came hours after an arson attack on ambulances run by a Jewish charity, Hatzola, in North London, which works alongside Shomrim.

A Reform UK spokesperson told the Hampshire Chronicle: “He has been suspended pending an investigation and is no longer our mayoral candidate.”

Parry, a retired Royal Navy rear admiral, shared a post on X which asked: “Can Christian’s [sic] in Britain set up their own police and patrol certain neighbourhoods?”

Parry added: “Remember that these cosplayers have no more jurisdiction or legal authority than ordinary citizens.”

After another user questioned the mayoral candidate over the depiction of Shomrim, he wrote: “They are a community organisation, not a legal entity. It’s the same with Islamists on horseback. But if it offends you, I’ll remove it.”

He later told the Guardian: “Most people on X commenting seem to be confusing various community action groups with the real police. Keen that people understand that.” 

Parry, who was set to stand in the Hampshire and the Solent mayoral election in 2028, had previously faced calls for his sacking after he called for deputy prime minister David Lammy to “go home” to the Caribbean last December.

He retained Reform’s support at the time with party leader Nigel Farage refused to condemn the comments.

Labour and the Lib Dems called for Farage sack Parry on Tuesday morning, claiming Parry “is not fit to be a candidate for public office”.

Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, Calvin Bailey, responded to reports of Parry’s departure on X, writing: “In December, I wrote to Nigel Farage about his candidate’s many vile racist and misogynist comments, asking if he would take action. Months later – and only after further offensive remarks – Reform have finally suspended Chris Parry.

“It should not take repeated incidents for basic standards of decency to be upheld.”

Reform UK have been contacted for comment.