Reform UK has been engulfed in a racism controversy following its appointment of a former academic who argued that people from minority ethnic backgrounds born and raised in the UK are not necessarily British.
Controversial Appointment Sparks Outrage
Matthew Goodwin, a hard-right activist and prominent Reform supporter, has been named honorary president of the new Students4Reform organisation. The appointment was confirmed by Goodwin himself on social media platform X.
The controversy stems from posts Goodwin made following a mass stabbing incident in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. After Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough was charged with 11 counts of attempted murder, Goodwin initially blamed "mass uncontrolled immigration" for the attack.
The 'Britishness' Debate Intensifies
When challenged that both suspects in the case were UK-born, Goodwin responded by referencing the 7/7 bombers, stating: "So were all of the 7/7 bombers. It takes more than a piece of paper to make somebody 'British'."
In subsequent posts, Goodwin doubled down on his position, writing that mass migration had "put our own people at risk" and claiming that migrants do not instantly adopt British culture upon receiving documentation.
Goodwin later stood by his comments, adding: "People who blow up British children at pop concerts, people who murder British commuters on the London Tube... might have a British passport but they are not one of us, sorry."
Political Fallout and Reactions
The Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesperson, Max Wilkinson, condemned Goodwin's rhetoric as "racist" and "a disgrace." Wilkinson demanded that Nigel Farage immediately strip Goodwin of his role, warning that failure to do so would confirm Reform UK "not only tolerates but actively embraces blatant racism."
A Labour spokesperson echoed these concerns, noting that Farage had previously failed to act against racist remarks within the party and urging him to make clear that such language is "completely unacceptable."
When contacted by the Guardian, Goodwin defended his position, stating: "What I said isn't racist. They devalue the term by saying this." He argued that first or second-generation immigrants are more likely to retain cultural traits from their parents' background.
Reform UK was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
