Nigel Farage should take his "nasty hate, anger and division" elsewhere, a Cabinet minister has declared, following the Reform UK leader's lengthy essay claiming Britain operates as a two-tier state against white people.
Culture Secretary's Outburst on Sky News
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her hope that Andy Burnham secures victory in Thursday's Makerfield by-election, as he is "giving voice" to the pressing challenges facing the nation. The Greater Manchester Mayor is anticipated to mount a challenge against Keir Starmer should he secure re-election as an MP.
When questioned about Mr Farage's essay, Ms Nandy - who represents Wigan and is a supporter of Burnham - told Sky News: "We've had a lot of this in my town, because we've got the by-election next door, over the last few weeks.
"I think he should take his nasty hate and anger and division somewhere else. Frankly, I've had enough of it, and I think a lot of us round our way have as well."
She added: "There are serious challenges that this country faces. People have not felt listened to or heard. Living standards haven't improved for too long. People want better, they want more... And Andy Burnham is giving voice to that very strongly in the by-election.
"I hope he wins. I hope he comes back to Westminster to help us bring the issues that matter to people right up front and centre as part of this government."
Farage's Controversial Essay
In a 5,000-word essay launching his monthly Substack newsletter, Mr Farage on Sunday slammed what he called an "insidious" two-tier system within the British government, alleging "deeply anti-White racism is embedded into the heart of the state". He launched a scathing attack on diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, branding it a "toxic ideology".
In the piece, the Reform UK leader stated foreign nationals residing in social housing would face deportation after three months to secure private accommodation if his party gained power. Homelessness charity branded the policy "racist and morally wrong".
Braverman Defends Claims
Suella Braverman, Reform's spokeswoman for education, skills and equality, on Sunday declared she believes white people are treated "more unfairly than non-white people". The former Tory Home Secretary - who has vowed to abolish the Equality Act if Reform gains power - told Sky News: "I believe that white people are treated more unfairly than non-white people, and we see that in the Equality Act.
"The Equality Act actually legislates to allow preferential treatment to non-white people. It allows advertising, recruitment, training, promotion, opportunities to prefer non-white people."
Ms Braverman insisted Reform's proposals to scrap the Act does not mean they want to eliminate workplace protections for women, for pregnant women, for disabled people, for ethnic minorities.
Labour's Response
Labour chair Anna Turley slammed proposals to axe the Act, declaring: "Farage's Reform are not on the side of women. Their plot to strip away hard won rights for women with no plan for how they'd be replaced speaks volumes. That's maternity rights and workplace protections up in smoke if Reform ever got into power.
"The fact Farage has stood by his self-described sexist candidate in Makerfield who has made vile comments about women just underlines how low he's willing to go. Labour is the only party that can be trusted to stand up for women."
Burnham's Warning on US-Style Politics
Mr Burnham has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions, while former health secretary Wes Streeting will also run in any contest. Al Carns - who resigned last week as Armed Forces minister over military spending disagreements - has signalled he would also take part in any leadership race.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Mr Burnham cautioned that backing Reform could result in a Britain as bitterly split as the United States. The Labour leadership warned the crucial Makerfield by-election could determine UK politics for years, stating: "The country is on quite a worrying path.
"Things are getting harder, and politics is getting more polarised, and the path we're on, if we are not careful, is towards the politics of the United States, a polarised, poisonous politics where people in communities don't work together any more."
