Nigel Farage is being pressured to denounce the outdated views within his party after one of his MPs criticized the prospect of an “LGBT supporting” coalition. Danny Kruger, who recently switched from the Conservatives to Reform UK, expressed his concerns about a mix of leftist parties, mentioning support for LGBT rights alongside Hamas on a video shared on Reform UK’s YouTube channel.
Critics have labeled Kruger’s comments as antiquated and inappropriate, calling for Farage to disavow them. This follows Farage’s anger over a controversial statement by Reform’s Sarah Pochin, who expressed displeasure at seeing Black and Asian individuals in advertisements but was not labeled as racist by Farage.
During a membership recruitment event for Reform UK, Kruger, the son of TV host Prue Leith, warned about the possibility of the UK being governed by a problematic nationalist party that supports Hamas and LGBT causes. He highlighted the challenges posed by parties like the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and Greens, as well as nationalist groups in Wales and Scotland.
Kruger emphasized the importance of Reform in preventing a potential coalition that he described as “appalling” and urged former Conservatives to join their cause. However, Labour MP Polly Billington criticized Kruger’s remarks as divisive and urged Farage to take action against such views.
Kruger failed to clarify his concerns regarding LGBT rights when questioned by the Mirror at a press event in London. He emphasized the need for a sensible and moderate government, suggesting that voting for Reform would align with those values.
In response to Kruger’s comments, a Labour source condemned them as regressive and not in line with mainstream politics. This controversy comes after Kruger’s previous contentious remarks on marriage in 2023, where he advocated for traditional family structures as the foundation of a successful society.
The ongoing debate within Reform UK was further fueled by comments made by MP Sarah Pochin over the weekend, expressing discomfort with diverse representations in advertisements. Despite criticisms, Farage refrained from disciplining Pochin, citing that her intentions were not racist.
Efforts to contact Reform UK regarding Kruger’s statement are ongoing.