Reform UK leader Nigel Farage rebuts claims from the National Education Union branding the party as far-Right and racist, amid mounting tensions leading to a pivotal conference discussion.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched a robust defence against accusations made by the National Education Union (NEU), which has described the party as “far-Right and racist.” This declaration is poised to be a focal point of debate at the NEU’s upcoming annual conference, set to take place in Harrogate next month. During the event, members will discuss a motion calling for the education of pupils on the perceived dangers of voting for Reform UK, citing concerns over the party’s alleged anti-immigrant platform.
The NEU’s motion accuses various groups, including Reform, of scapegoating vulnerable communities such as refugees, asylum seekers, Muslims, and Jews. It references the four million votes that Reform secured in the 2024 general election, attributing this success to an anti-immigrant agenda. The union is advocating for educators to “educate and challenge” students regarding “racist beliefs and far-Right activity,” and has called for the development of anti-racist resources for use in schools.
In response to these claims, Farage has staunchly rejected the notion of Reform being labelled as far-Right. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he stated, “This is happening up and down the country. Reform is subject to endless propaganda at the hands of teachers. When we are in a position to do so, we will go to war against the teachers’ unions.” His sentiments coincide with a recent survey indicating a notable increase in popularity for Reform among the youth, with 30% of 16- and 17-year-olds reportedly willing to vote for the party if the voting age were lowered.
The NEU, led by Daniel Kebede, has further faced criticism for its characterisation of the UK education system and government. Kebede has described the country as a “brutally racist state” and has denounced the national curriculum as a perpetuation of a “Little England, white saviour narrative.” The union’s forthcoming examination of political neutrality in education has drawn responses from educational analysts. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the centre for education and employment research at Buckingham University, stated, “It is deeply disturbing that members of our largest teachers’ union should want to bring politics into the classroom by linking immigration concerns with racism.”
The discussion is not solely focused on Reform; the NEU is also expected to critique the government for engaging with political figures from countries deemed to have racist policies, specifically referencing Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Amidst these internal debates, Labour has been accused of yielding to union influence in its Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
In a separate but equally contentious matter, Farage has expressed dissatisfaction with his media outlet, GB News, over their coverage of his ongoing conflict with suspended Reform MP Rupert Lowe. Lowe has been critical of Farage’s leadership, describing the party as a “protest party” led by a “Messiah.” Following this fallout, Reform UK is currently investigating allegations of bullying against Lowe and claims of verbal abuse directed at party chairman Zia Yusuf.
Amid these controversies, a spokesperson for the NEU reinforced the organisation’s stance, asserting, “It is vital we take on racist behaviour and language, in schools and in wider society. The NEU makes no apologies for holding that view.” The debates and developments surrounding these issues are anticipated to resonate throughout the political landscape in the UK, particularly concerning the education system and party politics moving forward.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/22/teaching-union-neu-racist-british-identity-michael-gove/ – This article corroborates the NEU’s criticism of the British curriculum as promoting a racially biased interpretation of British identity. It highlights the union’s push for a culturally inclusive curriculum.
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/teachers-pro-palestine-advocacy-in-classrooms-union – This piece supports the NEU’s focus on Palestine and its influence on educational policies, including pro-Palestine advocacy in classrooms.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/10/government-accused-of-misleading-public-over-school-reforms/ – This article covers Labour’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the government’s response to educational reforms, which includes allegations of misleading the public.
- https://www.noahwire.com/ (not available for use, so replaced with general information) – Although not directly related, this article discusses criticisms of teachers’ unions regarding educational policies and neutrality in the classroom.
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/reform-uk-support-among-young-voters-soars-as-nigel-farage-targets-conservative-voters-nzmm28fnl – This news piece reflects growing support for Reform UK among young voters, which contrasts with the NEU’s portrayal of the party.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is current, referencing recent developments and events such as an upcoming conference, indicating freshness. However, without specific dates mentioned for some events, a slight deduction is made.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes were identified but couldn’t be verified against original sources beyond the current narrative. While plausible, they lack clear attribution to previous or original sources.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Daily Mail, a known publication in the UK. Although it is generally reliable, there can be variations in content quality and bias.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims and events described are plausible given current UK political tensions and known positions of the parties involved. However, some assertions like the popularity survey among youth lack specific data to fully verify.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is current and originates from a generally reliable source, certain claims and quotes could not be fully verified against other sources. The plausibility is high given the context, but additional verification is needed for absolute assurance.
