The British political scene was rocked by a furious row today as Reform UK launched a scathing attack on the Conservative Party. The controversy erupted after a senior Tory figure appeared to compare a new party badge, promoted by Nigel Farage, to a reward once given to members of the Nazi party.
The Badge That Sparked a Political Firestorm
The dispute began when Nigel Farage teased the release of a new piece of party merchandise. The item was a black and gold badge featuring the Reform branding, the year the party was formed (2018), and the slogan 'family, community, country'.
This seemingly routine political marketing, however, triggered an immediate and explosive response. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake retweeted the post on X, formerly Twitter, adding a link to the Wikipedia page for the 'Golden Party Badge'. This was a pin, adorned with a swastika, first issued by Adolf Hitler in 1933 to Nazis who had been members since 1925. It was later used as a personal award for service to the Nazi party and state until the regime's defeat in 1945.
Outrage and Accusations Fly
Reform UK's reaction was one of unbridled anger. A spokesman for the party hit out, suggesting that Mr Hollinrake was effectively branding Reform members as Nazis. The party demanded action from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Nigel Farage himself did not hold back, using the incident to highlight the Tories' perceived electoral weakness. He stated, 'This is why they are on course to win 14 seats at the next election,' a sharp critique of the Conservative Party's polling numbers.
The indignation spread to other figures within and associated with Reform. A party source declared, 'If you vote Reform, the chairman of the Conservative Party thinks you're a Nazi. The Tory party somehow manages to sink further into the gutter.'
Adding his voice to the condemnation, Alan Mendoza, a Westminster councillor who recently defected from the Tories to Reform, said, 'Is Kevin Hollinrake out of his mind? Making a comparison between Reform and Nigel Farage to the Nazis is not only a disgraceful slur but also lazy and weak.'
A Deepening Political Rift
This incident marks a significant escalation in the war of words between the Conservative Party and the insurgent Reform UK. With the general election looming, the exchange highlights the intense competition for voters and the increasingly personal nature of the political battle. The accusation of invoking Nazi imagery is one of the most serious slurs in British politics, guaranteeing that this row will have lasting repercussions in Westminster.
