A BBC Question Time audience erupted in laughter on Thursday night after a guest described Reform UK as 'a care home for old Tories'. The comment came amid a heated discussion about the recent defections of high-profile Conservative politicians to Nigel Farage's party.
The remark, made by a man in the audience during the show filmed in King's Lynn, Norfolk, drew audible laughter from those around him. The panel included Labour MP Douglas Alexander and Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, who smiled wryly at the jibe.
Mr Alexander, the Scottish Secretary, echoed the sentiment, saying: 'I get why people call them a retirement home for former failed Conservatives.' He also criticised Reform UK's recent campaign tactics, referring to what he called 'disgusting, racist adverts' against Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and warned that the party represents 'a politics of hatred, division and polarisation'.
The discussion was prompted by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK earlier this week, making her the eighth MP to join the party. She accused the Tories of having 'no courage, no backbone, no resolve', and said Britain is 'broken' with 'immigration out of control' and 'public services on their knees'.
