Reform UK's Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin has been slammed and mocked for an "outrageous and shameful" social media post about France's efforts in World War 2.
Ms Pochin, who represents the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, took to social media site X to respond to news that the French government had dismissed her party's controversial suggestion that if they were to form a government in the UK, they would turn back small boats crossing the English channel. The French said such a move would be a "violation" of their country's sovereignty along with maritime and international law.
Controversial Reply
Replying to this news story, Ms Pochin, who is Reform's only MP in the Liverpool City Region, posted: "Pity the French did not show the same resolve in defending their sovereignty in June 1940." Her post mocking the French efforts in World War Two quickly garnered hundreds of outraged responses.
One commenter said: "Jesus. Are you for real?" A French account replied with: "I don't understand why you're so eager to show the world how stupid you are, but rest assured, I admire your dedication."
Criticism from Former UKIP Leader
Former UKIP leader and ex army officer Henry Bolton was among those criticising the Reform MP. He said: "Sarah, we tease the French, but you are simply insulting them. France lost 92,000 servicemen dead in 1940. Another 24,000 lost their lives fighting for the resistance. They lost around 215,000 dead in total, in WW2. That’s some pretty tough resolve."
Another poster added: "Shame on you. That's possibly the most disgusting thing we've heard from a Reform person yet. Never forget what our brave men and women went through with all our allies as well."
Community Note Added
Ms Pochin's post now has the added humiliation of being slapped with a community note, which is a crowdsourced, fact-checking tool on X which allows readers to add context or corrections to misleading posts. In this case, the community note added to Ms Pochin's post reads: "About 90,000–100,000 French soldiers were killed during the Battle of France (May–June 1940), when Germany invaded. Around 92,000 is the figure most commonly cited."
History of Controversial Statements
Ms Pochin is no stranger to controversial or offensive statements. In her first intervention in the House of Commons after winning the Runcorn and Helsby by-election last year, she urged then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "ban the burka" - a one-piece veil worn by Muslim women. Even her own Reform party chair, Zia Yusuf described the question as "dumb" at the time.
Last month, the Runcorn MP was widely criticised and ridiculed after calling on the England football team to keep winning for the sake of women's safety.
