In a blistering political attack, a senior Cabinet minister has directly compared Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to the legacy of Enoch Powell, the Conservative MP infamous for his inflammatory 1968 'Rivers of Blood' speech.
A Damning Comparison at Party Conference
Business Secretary Peter Kyle launched the extraordinary critique while addressing the Co-operative Party conference in London on Saturday. He identified the Reform party as part of a tradition of far-right politics, drawing a direct line from the National Front and the British National Party to Mr Farage's current movement.
Mr Kyle stated that a lack of economic growth makes the public more susceptible to what he termed the 'dogma of disruption, division and despair'. He explicitly framed the Reform leader as a consequence of this failure, declaring: "Lack of economic growth is the cause. Nigel Farage - today's incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell – is the effect."
The Shadow of Powell's Legacy
The comparison references one of the most controversial speeches in modern British history. In 1968, Conservative shadow minister Enoch Powell delivered an address warning of mass immigration leading to 'rivers of blood', a phrase that became synonymous with the speech and was widely condemned for intensifying racial tensions across the country.
This is not the first time Mr Kyle has publicly clashed with the Reform leader. Earlier this year, when Mr Kyle served as Technology Secretary, he attacked Mr Farage for his opposition to the government's Online Safety Act. During that dispute, Mr Kyle controversially claimed that opponents of the act were siding with potential exploiters of children, making a reference to the late Jimmy Savile.
A Unified Message Against Division
The Co-operative Party conference, which is affiliated with Labour through a long-standing electoral pact, also heard from Communities Secretary Steve Reed. He echoed the theme of confronting political division, speaking of parties and politicians "who feed off the decline and division", in a clear reference to Reform UK.
Mr Reed offered a contrasting vision, emphasising the need to build bridges and focus on shared community interests, regardless of people's backgrounds. His comments reinforced the government's narrative of seeking unity in the face of what it perceives as politically divisive forces.
The strong language from two senior ministers signals a concerted effort by the government to directly challenge the rhetoric and influence of Nigel Farage and his party, framing them within a historical context of contentious far-right politics in Britain.
