Key facts
- Former Prime Minister John Major has criticized Reform UK.
- Major described the party as a 'ragbag' with no clear philosophy or purpose.
- He accused Reform UK of scapegoating Muslims and migrants.
- Major stated the party offers 'nothing good' and gains 'wholly negative votes'.
- Reform UK won over 1,300 council seats and 13 councils in recent local elections.
- Allegations of racist comments have been made against some Reform UK councillors.
John Major, who served as the Conservative Prime Minister of the UK from 1990 to 1997, has publicly condemned the right-wing party Reform UK. In an interview with The Independent, Major described the party as a 'ragbag' lacking a defined philosophy or purpose, suggesting its appeal is based on negativity and opposition to specific groups.
Major specifically accused Reform UK of scapegoating Muslims and migrants, stating that this is their primary 'unique selling brand' and that they will find other groups to target once this tactic wears thin. He characterized the party as narrow in concept, nationalist in instinct, and hostile towards those who disagree with them.
His criticism comes in the wake of Reform UK's performance in recent local elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, where the party secured over 1,300 council seats and control of 13 councils, marking a significant increase in its vote share. The article also references reports of alleged racist comments made by some newly elected councillors associated with the party, including instances of Islamophobic social media posts and deeply offensive remarks about Muslims.