Nigel Farage is under pressure to denounce the outdated views of some members of his party, with one MP expressing concerns about an alliance that supports LGBT rights. Danny Kruger, who recently switched from the Conservatives to Reform UK, raised eyebrows by equating LGBT support with endorsing Hamas. His comments have been criticized as antiquated and inappropriate, prompting calls for condemnation from Farage.
During a membership recruitment event for Reform UK, Kruger, the son of TV personality Prue Leith, cautioned against the rise of a potential political coalition he described as a concerning mix of Hamas-backing, LGBT-supporting nationalists. He highlighted the competitive landscape faced by Reform, including opposition from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Greens, and nationalist parties in Wales and Scotland, as well as a reference to Corbyn, illustrating the challenging political environment in the UK.
In response to Kruger’s remarks, Labour MP Polly Billington emphasized the divisive nature of Reform’s rhetoric and its threat to British values of decency and respect. She called for Farage to show leadership by rejecting such divisive views, warning that failure to do so would be seen as an endorsement of the harmful narratives perpetuated by Reform.
Kruger’s vague concerns regarding LGBT rights were brought into question by the Mirror during a press conference where he expressed apprehension about a potential government formed by what he termed an incoherent coalition of political factions. He stressed the importance of voting for Reform as a means to prevent such a scenario and advocated for a sensible and moderate government.
A Labour source condemned Kruger’s views as regressive and not in line with modern sensibilities, cautioning against the dangerous path of division that Reform seems to be promoting. Kruger’s previous controversial remarks on marriage in 2023 were also highlighted, emphasizing his conservative stance on societal norms.
The article also referenced a separate incident involving Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s controversial comments about diversity in advertisements, which sparked a public outcry. Despite criticism, Farage refrained from taking immediate action against Pochin, stating that while he disapproved of her comments, he did not believe they were motivated by racism.
Efforts to obtain a response from Reform UK regarding Kruger’s statement were ongoing.