Farage: Right and Proper that Social Media Posts Are Investigated by Police

In July, Nigel Farage told Sky News “If people post on social media things that are racist, they nearly always get a knock at the door, charged, and that’s right and proper“. He recently called Twitter “dangerous.” Raheem Kassam, a close Farage ally, has echoed that sentiment, describing people expressing themselves freely online as a “cesspool” that is “very dangerous for humanity.”

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, has repeatedly called for anonymous social media accounts to be banned. Anonymity is a cornerstone of freedom of speech. Without anonymity, in our current political climate, those expressing politically incorrect views risk being fired from their jobs. It is inevitable that such legislation would lead to many Reform members and supporters themselves being dragged into HR meetings simply for expressing an opinion online.

Katie Hopkins, a former columnist for The Sun and the Mail Online, talked frankly and accurately about the grooming gangs, and criticised former Labour MP Simon Danczuk for flying the flag of Pakistan over Rochdale. For this, Danczuk reported her to the police. Danczuk was subsequently selected by Reform UK to be their candidate in the Rochdale by-election. Danczuk has also called for increased press regulation, complaining that “those of the Islamic faith are vulnerable to tabloid newspapers”.

The decision to allow Nadine Dorries to defect from the Tories is a clear indication of intent. The Online Safety Act, passed by the Conservative government, was driven primarily by Dorries. The Spectator magazine called this legislation “the most sweeping attempt by any liberal democracy to bring the online world under the control of the state”. Dorries is now an official spokesperson for Reform UK.

According to the Times newspaper, the police make 30 arrests a day for online messages. We desperately need a party that supports freedom of speech and protects citizens from state overreach. Between embracing the architect of the Online Safety Act, selecting candidates who report journalists to the police, and demanding the end of online anonymity, Reform UK has proven it is not that party.