Business secretary Peter Kyle has compared Nigel Farage to Enoch Powell, describing the Reform UK leader as “today’s incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell”. Speaking at the Co-operative party conference, Kyle labelled Reform UK as “far right” and argued that the appeal of such parties stems from a lack of economic growth.
Kyle stated: “The truth is that without securing higher, sustained economic growth, reconnecting people and politics, generating trust in the potential of democracy and importance of good government becomes almost impossible. And the appeal of the parties of the far right – with their dogma of disruption, division and despair – it becomes, too, alluring.”
He added: “We see it today with Reform, just as we did in previous times with the National Front and the British National party. Lack of economic growth it is the cause. Nigel Farage, today’s incarnation of the politics of Enoch Powell, is the effect.” Powell made his infamous “rivers of blood” speech in 1968, which was blamed for inflaming racial tensions.
The comments come after Reform UK faced accusations of racism for selecting Matthew Goodwin, a former academic who argued that UK-born people from minority ethnic backgrounds are not necessarily British, as head of its new student organisation. Earlier this year, Kyle also criticised Farage for opposing the Online Safety Act, claiming that those against it were “on the side” of child abusers like Jimmy Savile.
