Minister Condemns Reform UK's 'Politics of Grievance' Over High Street Comments
Government minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of deploying "dog-whistle racism" with his attacks on Turkish barber shops, while offering no credible plan to address the fundamental decline of Britain's high streets.
'Politics of Division' Versus Real Solutions
The devolution, faith and communities minister said Farage's populist rightwing party was capitalising on genuine frustration about boarded-up shops and long-term neglect, but was turning to "the politics of grievance" rather than substantive policy solutions.
"We're all aligned in thinking the last government failed in the last 15 years, but they [Reform] don't have the answers," Fahnbulleh stated. "They turn and do the politics of division. They blame people of difference rather than deal with the fundamentals."
When asked directly if she believed the focus on Turkish barbers carried racist overtones, the minister responded unequivocally: "Yes, I do. The fundamentals aren't to do with the colour of the skin of people running our high streets. It's to do with long-term decline and neglect."
Reform's High Street Strategy Under Scrutiny
Reform UK has made struggling town centres a central campaign issue as the party prepares for May's crucial local elections, promising to declare a "national high street emergency" and crack down on illicit shops.
Research indicates the party has gained most support in English towns experiencing the highest rates of shop closures and long-term vacancies. Farage specifically targeted Turkish barber shops in a Facebook video last year, claiming they were "springing up everywhere" and suggesting many served as fronts for money laundering and drug running.
However, figures from the Local Data Company reveal the number of barber shops has more than doubled in the past decade to 3.1 per 10,000 people, even as other retail sectors have faced widespread closures.
Labour's Alternative Approach
Speaking as analysis reveals the changing fortunes of Britain's high streets, Fahnbulleh acknowledged voters' legitimate frustration after "15 years of not enough being done, of shops being boarded up, lack of investment in their communities."
The minister pointed to Labour's £5bn "pride in place" strategy, which includes:
- A community right-to-buy scheme allowing local people to purchase buildings when they go up for sale
- Licensing powers for councils to restrict concentrations of gambling shops
- Funding for 250 regeneration projects over the next decade
- A crackdown on high street crime and illicit shops through targeted raids
Fahnbulleh defended the government's economic approach despite criticism from retail and hospitality leaders about tax increases and minimum wage rises, stating: "Increasing taxes in a way that allows us to invest in our public services is the right judgment the chancellor has made."
Questioning Reform's Governing Capability
The minister also questioned Reform UK's practical ability to deliver change, citing what she described as the party's "chaotic" leadership of local councils it gained control of last year.
"They don't have a clear vision of what they are trying to do, and struggle to do basic governing," Fahnbulleh asserted. "We can't afford games and politicians that do not have a plan and cannot drive change. So there is an urgency for us. We do believe we have the answers and we're determined to crack on and get things done."
Reform UK was approached for comment but did not respond to the minister's criticisms.
