Nigel Farage’s campaign event in Doncaster was interrupted by demonstrators accusing Reform UK of spreading division and hate.
Nigel Farage’s launch event for Reform UK’s Doncaster mayoral candidate was disrupted by anti-racism protesters, leading to heated exchanges between the party leader and activists from the Stand Up To Racism group.
Heckling and confrontation
Farage had been speaking for less than a minute at the event in South Yorkshire before a series of demonstrators interrupted his speech in quick succession.
The Stand Up To Racism group later claimed responsibility for the interruption, stating that eight students and activists stood up one after another to challenge Reform UK’s stance on race and equality. Some accused the party of promoting division, while one protester shouted “Free Palestine!” before being escorted from the venue.
As the demonstrators were removed, Farage responded with taunts, labelling one a “saddo” and another a “loser”.
He addressed the audience, insisting that Reform UK would not be intimidated:
“We will not be stopped by a ranting student mob, we will fight on and win these elections in Doncaster.”
Mocking the protesters, he added:
“Go back to school please, we know what’s going to happen. Boring, boring, boring. They will do everything they can to stop this being a free and fair election.”
Farage attacks teaching unions
Farage went further, blaming teaching unions for what he called the “brainwashing” of young people against Reform UK and British values.
“That’s what you get, folks, when teaching unions in this country are poisoning the minds of young people—not just against Reform, but against everything this country has ever stood for.”
He vowed that if Reform UK gained power, it would “go to war” with left-wing teaching unions, ensuring children were “taught properly”.
“The point about our country is that in a democracy, you can disagree with people. But in a democracy, you respect the right of other people to have different opinions, to express them.”
Reform UK’s doncaster mayoral candidate
The event marked the campaign launch of Alexander Jones, Reform UK’s candidate for Doncaster mayor.
Jones, who the party says worked in property, Forex trading, and modelling, positioned himself as a candidate who would “unlock” Doncaster’s potential.
“Growing up in Doncaster showed me how our communities can be forgotten and failed by politicians who promise much but deliver little.
Doncaster has huge potential, and I am confident that I can unlock it and deliver the opportunities and investment local people deserve.”
He criticised both Labour and the Conservatives, arguing that a vote for either party would mean “more complacency and decay”.
“Doncaster is broken. Reform will fix it.”
Protesters condemn Farage and reform UK
Sabby Dhalu, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, said the group had targeted Farage because of his divisive rhetoric.
“Farage and his party are trying to spread hate and division at a time when we need unity.”
Fellow co-convener Weyman Bennett accused Reform UK of falsely presenting itself as a party for the working class.
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“Reform claims to stand for ordinary people, but its real agenda is one of division and distraction. Farage is a millionaire banker who does not represent working-class interests.”
Further campaign launches and party defections
Following the Doncaster event, Farage travelled to Lincolnshire, where he launched Reform UK’s mayoral bid for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.
The party’s Lincolnshire candidate is Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative minister, marking a significant defection from the Tories.
Farage also announced that three sitting local councillors had joined Reform UK, reinforcing his claim that the party was attracting support from across the political spectrum.
A tense campaign ahead
The disruption at the Doncaster event highlights the controversial nature of Reform UK’s campaign and the polarising effect of Farage’s leadership.
While supporters see the party as challenging the political status quo, critics argue that its rhetoric fuels division.
With protests likely to continue, and further high-profile defections from other parties, Reform UK’s local election campaign is set to be one of the most divisive in recent memory.
