In a vehement rebuttal to recent accusations, Nigel Farage has condemned the Labour Party and mainstream media for attempting to shift the blame for the recent anti-mass migration riots onto him and his Reform UK party. The Brexit leader branded these accusations as “despicable” and an act of political desperation by the left, fearing electoral losses in areas left behind by the establishment.
In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, Farage denounced the Labour Party’s claims, asserting that their real concern is losing ground to Reform UK in historically Labour-supporting regions. He argued that the violence, which erupted following a mass stabbing at a children’s dance party in Southport allegedly committed by a Rwandan-heritage teen, has been mischaracterised by the media and political elites as the result of far-right agitation. Instead, Farage pointed out, the riots have predominantly affected towns and cities in the North and Midlands—areas that have long suffered from economic deprivation and the impacts of mass migration.
"The Labour Party is terrified that many of their traditional voters are turning to me and my party," Farage said. "This is not about far-right extremism; it’s about a growing sense of dissatisfaction and a legitimate outcry over societal breakdown exacerbated by unchecked immigration."
The so-called “Red Wall” regions, once seen as Labour's stronghold, have become a battleground for political influence, with Farage's Reform UK gaining significant ground. In the recent elections, while Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party reclaimed many Red Wall seats, Reform UK came in second in 98 constituencies, edging out the Conservatives in several areas. Farage attributed this shift to the public’s frustration with Labour’s handling of migration and economic issues, which he claims have been ignored in the official narrative.
Farage also criticised the perception of a two-tiered policing system, where ethnic minority groups are allegedly treated more leniently than the native white population. He pointed to past incidents, such as the defacement of the Churchill statue and the Cenotaph during the Black Lives Matter protests, as evidence of a double standard in policing.
“People see that the police response during the BLM protests was to kneel to a group with Marxist agendas,” Farage remarked. “It’s no wonder there’s a growing belief that there’s a different set of rules for different communities.”
Despite the accusations, Farage reiterated his condemnation of violence and street protests, emphasizing his commitment to addressing grievances through democratic means. “I understand the anger and frustration that has led to these riots, but I firmly stand against any form of violence,” he said. “For 30 years, I’ve fought for change through elections, believing that democracy is the path to resolving our issues.”
Farage’s call for calm and focus on democratic processes underscores his belief that the current unrest is a symptom of broader societal issues, rather than a manifestation of far-right extremism
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