Are Reform UK Supporters Racist, Far-Right, Fascist Nazis?
A factual look at what fascism, Nazism, racism and far-right extremism actually mean - and how Reform UK compares.
What Prompted Me To Ask This Question
Like many of you reading this, I’m completely fed up with hearing people accuse Nigel Farage, Reform UK and their supporters of being Nazis, fascists, far-right or racist.
A couple of weeks ago, for the first time, I was called those words myself. Fourteen of us were out in a Suffolk town for the Reform UK Action Day on Saturday 25th October. Although most people we spoke to were civilised and polite, and we had some great conversations, to my surprise, we were also subjected to a number of insults.
One young man, a Green Party member, called us fascists and Nazis. When I asked him what a fascist was, he couldn’t tell me. Instead, he advised that my colleagues and I should ‘educate ourselves’ about the kind of party we were members of. I was a bit stunned but should’ve said what I was thinking: that between us, we’re bright, capable people who’ve done our research and made a considered choice.
This incident came shortly after Green Party leader Zack Polanski called Zia Yusuf a fascist and a Nazi in a TV interview and around the time of an article in The Telegraph in which MP Zarah Sultana compared Nigel Farage to Hitler. In another recent online interview, Westminster councillor Laila Cunningham said she’s been called both ‘fascist’ and ‘Nazi’ more times than she can count.
It feels as though these insults are being thrown around like confetti. Politicians, sections of the media and members of the public use them freely to smear anyone who disagrees with them. Especially in the past few years it’s become harder to have civil, respectful conversations about politics. People seem to have become more entrenched and polarised, and far quicker to label others as extremists.
Not so long ago, we could disagree on politics, talk about it over coffee and still stay friends. Now, if you express a view outside someone’s ideological comfort zone, you risk being called hateful or dangerous.
People can and should debate Reform UK’s positions on such topics as immigration, the NHS and climate policy. That’s healthy democracy. But there’s a vast difference between criticising policies and labelling people as Nazis or fascists. One approach invites conversation; the other shuts it down.
Having studied Hitler and Mussolini for my History GCSE nearly 40 years ago – and later some European history at university – I can say with certainty that Reform UK bears no resemblance to fascist or Nazi movements.
In order to refresh my memory and ground this discussion in fact, I’ve revisited the historical definitions and characteristics of these ideologies. What follows is a brief factual comparison based on historical research (with some help from AI). I think it’s worth sharing this overview because understanding what these words actually mean might help us all have more honest conversations.
What Fascism Actually Is
Benito Mussolini and the Rise of Fascism
Benito Mussolini (1883 –1945) was an Italian political leader who founded the Fascist Party and ruled Italy as dictator from 1922 to 1943. Originally a socialist journalist, he broke away from socialism after World War I, arguing that Italy needed unity and strength rather than class conflict.
By 1922, amid economic chaos, Mussolini and his Blackshirt militia marched on Rome and forced the king to appoint him Prime Minister. Once in power, he dismantled democracy, banned opposition parties, censored the press and created a one-party state. He glorified the nation and demanded obedience to himself as Il Duce (‘The Leader’).
Fascism under Mussolini promoted nationalism, militarism and loyalty to the state. It replaced democracy with authoritarian control and silenced dissent. Mussolini’s rule became the prototype for fascism – power concentrated in one leader, glorification of the state and suppression of individual freedom.
Where the Word ‘Fascism’ Comes From
The word fascism comes from the Italian fascio, meaning ‘bundle’ or ‘group’. It’s linked to the ancient Roman fasces – a bundle of rods bound around an axe, symbolising unity and authority. Mussolini deliberately adopted this imagery to represent strength through unity and centralised power.
In essence, fascism means:
● The state is supreme; individuals exist to serve it
● Liberal democracy and individual rights are rejected
● National unity is pursued through obedience to a single leader
● Strength and control are valued over compromise or debate
So while the word began as a metaphor for unity, it became synonymous with dictatorship, censorship and enforced conformity.
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Regime
Adolf Hitler (1889–1945), leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the Nazi Party), became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and swiftly turned the nation into a one-party dictatorship.
His regime combined fascist-style authoritarianism with an extreme racial ideology. It silenced dissent, glorified violence and promoted the idea of an ‘Aryan master race’. Jews, Roma, disabled people and political opponents were persecuted and murdered – culminating in the Holocaust.
Nazism rejected democracy and equality, using propaganda, fear and militarism to control every aspect of life. Although its name included the word Socialist, it was not left-wing in practice. It was ultranationalist, militaristic and authoritarian – placed firmly on the far right because it opposed democracy, equality and international cooperation.
The Nazi Regime and Fascist Behaviour
Hitler didn’t rule alone. Around him was a circle of powerful officials who helped enforce the Nazi regime’s ideology and control – men like Heinrich Himmler (head of the SS), Joseph Goebbels (Minister of Propaganda), Hermann Göring (commander of the Luftwaffe and founder of the Gestapo) and many regional party leaders known as Gauleiters.
Their behaviour and policies reflected classic fascist traits:
Total control of the state: All political opposition was outlawed. Trade unions, rival parties and independent organisations were dissolved or absorbed into the Nazi Party.
Propaganda and censorship: Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda controlled newspapers, radio, film and culture. Only material that glorified Hitler and Nazi ideals was allowed.
Cult of personality: Loyalty to Hitler was demanded above all else. Citizens were expected to salute, display his image and see him as Germany’s saviour.
Militarism and fear: The SS and Gestapo used terror, imprisonment and execution to silence dissent. Concentration camps were first created for political prisoners, long before the Holocaust expanded into genocide.
Suppression of minorities: Jews and other groups were blamed for Germany’s problems and stripped of rights through laws, segregation, and violence – culminating in the Holocaust.
Expansion and conquest: The regime glorified war and sought to expand German territory, believing it had the right to dominate Europe.
This combination of authoritarian control, state propaganda, violent repression and extreme nationalism is what made the regime unmistakably fascist.
Core Differences: Fascism (1922-1943) vs Reform UK (Founded 2021)
Form of Government
● Fascism: One-party dictatorship; opposition banned
● Reform UK: Multi-party democracy; free elections
Leadership
● Fascism: Absolute authority of one ruler; enforced obedience
● Reform UK: Leaders accountable to voters, law, and media scrutiny
Law
● Fascism: The ruler’s will overrides courts
● Reform UK: Independent judiciary; rule of law applies to all
Use of Violence
● Fascism: Violence and terror used to control citizens
● Reform UK: Condemns violence; politics conducted peacefully
Press and Speech
● Fascism: Censorship and state propaganda
● Reform UK: Free press; open debate protected by law
Minorities
● Fascism: Persecution and genocide
● Reform UK: Equality laws protect all citizens
Economy
● Fascism: State-directed or corporatist
● Reform UK: Mixed, largely market-based system
Goal
● Fascism: Total control and suppression of pluralism
● Reform UK: Policy reform within a constitutional democracy
Core Differences: Nazism (1930s–1945) vs Reform UK (Founded 2021)
Political System
● Nazism: One-party dictatorship
● Reform UK: Democratic party within UK elections
Leadership
● Nazism: Absolute obedience to Hitler
● Reform UK: Accountable, lawful leadership structure
Ideology
● Nazism: Racist, antisemitic, expansionist
● Reform UK: Patriotic, non-racist, non-violent
Democracy
● Nazism: Rejected democracy entirely
● Reform UK: Operates fully within free elections
Violence
● Nazism: Central tool of control (SS, Gestapo)
● Reform UK: Condemns violence; supports peaceful change
Human Rights
● Nazism: Violated through genocide
● Reform UK: Supports equality and legal rights
Racial Beliefs
● Nazism: Aryan racial supremacy
● Reform UK: Rejects racism; values sovereignty, not hierarchy
Propaganda
● Nazism: State-controlled media and messaging
● Reform UK: Subject to open scrutiny and free debate
Militarism
● Nazism: Aggressive expansion and conquest
● Reform UK: Peaceful, non-militaristic
Economy
● Nazism: War-focused, state-directed economy
● Reform UK: Free-market focus
Symbolism
● Nazism: Swastikas, salutes, paramilitary uniforms
● Reform UK: Standard democratic party branding
Religion
● Nazism: Controlled, censored, or suppressed
● Reform UK: Respects pluralism and freedom of belief
Minorities
● Nazism: Persecuted, segregated, exterminated
● Reform UK: Protected under UK equality law
Goal
● Nazism: Totalitarian control
● Reform UK: Lawful political reform
What Racism Means
Racism isn’t simply holding strong views about immigration or national policy. It’s an ideology built on the false belief that some races are inherently superior to others. It promotes exclusion, hostility and inequality based on ethnicity or skin colour. Racism judges people’s worth by birth rather than character or contribution – something that runs completely counter to democratic principles.
Racism vs Reform UK Supporter
Core Belief
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● One race is superior
Reform UK Supporter:
● All citizens equal under UK law
View of Other Cultures
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Hostile or exclusionary
Reform UK Supporter:
● Respects diversity and shared community values
Equality
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Rejects equality
Reform UK Supporter:
● Supports equal opportunity for all
Motivation
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Driven by hate or fear
Reform UK Supporter:
● Driven by reform, fairness and accountability
Speech
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Uses slurs or hate speech
Reform UK Supporter:
● Debates lawfully and respectfully
Policy Focus
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Promotes exclusion
Reform UK Supporter:
● Advocates efficient systems, not hierarchy
Citizenship
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Excludes based on ethnicity
Reform UK Supporter:
● Defines belonging by shared values and law
Violence
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● May justify aggression
Reform UK Supporter:
● Condemns violence
Community Impact
Racist Beliefs / Behaviour:
● Divides and alienates
Reform UK Supporter:
● Promotes cohesion and fairness
What ‘Far-Right’ Means
The far-right is a term used to describe extremist movements that reject democracy and equality, and instead promote authoritarian control, ethnic nationalism or violence to achieve their aims. They use division and fear to gain power – the exact opposite of what mainstream democratic parties, including Reform UK, stand for.
Far-Right Extremist vs Reform UK Supporter
Core Beliefs
Far-Right Extremist:
● Promotes racial or cultural superiority
Reform UK Supporter:
● Believes in fairness, democracy and reform
View of Democracy
Far-Right Extremist:
● Rejects democracy
Reform UK Supporter:
● Participates lawfully in elections
Violence
Far-Right Extremist:
● May justify or use violence
Reform UK Supporter:
● Condemns violence; pursues peaceful change
National Identity
Far-Right Extremist:
● Defines citizens by race
Reform UK Supporter:
● Defines belonging by shared values and law
Immigration
Far-Right Extremist:
● Demands exclusion or removal
Reform UK Supporter:
● Supports controlled, skills-based immigration
Speech
Far-Right Extremist:
● Uses hate or intimidation
Reform UK Supporter:
● Engages in civil debate
Law
Far-Right Extremist:
● Ignores or overrides law
Reform UK Supporter:
● Respects the rule of law
Symbolism
Far-Right Extremist:
● Linked to extremist groups
Reform UK Supporter:
● Linked to lawful political activity
Equality
Far-Right Extremist:
● Rejects diversity
Reform UK Supporter:
● Supports equal rights
Goal
Far-Right Extremist:
● Seeks ideological ‘purity’
Reform UK Supporter:
● Aims to improve governance and accountability
Why the ‘Fascist’ and ‘Nazi’ Label Gets Misused
Today, words like Nazi and fascist are often thrown around as political insults. They’ve come to mean ‘anyone I strongly disagree with’ rather than referring to the actual totalitarian regimes responsible for genocide and war.
Calling someone a Nazi because you dislike their politics isn’t just inaccurate, it’s historically and morally wrong. It dilutes the horror of what those words truly mean and dishonours the millions who suffered under those regimes.
Reform UK supporters, like anyone else, can be criticised on policy but equating lawful political involvement with Nazism or fascism is misleading and dehumanising. Reform UK is a democratic, legal party operating within Britain’s free press, equality laws and open elections.
So What Do Fascism and Nazism Actually Represent?
Fascism and Nazism were brutal ideologies rooted in dictatorship, racial hierarchy and the destruction of democracy. They relied on fear, propaganda and violence to control citizens and eliminate opposition. They were anti-freedom, anti-pluralism and anti-human rights.
Reform UK, by contrast, exists because of democracy – because ordinary citizens want to debate, campaign and vote for change within a lawful, peaceful system. That’s the very opposite of authoritarianism.
There’s no credible evidence that Reform UK or its supporters fit any historical definition of fascism, Nazism, racism or far-right extremism. Those words describe movements built on hate and oppression – not on reform, accountability and free speech.
A Final Reflection
The words fascist, Nazi, far-right and racist carry immense historical and cultural weight. They should never be used lightly. When we start using them as catch-all insults for people we disagree with, we drain them of meaning.
Healthy democracies depend on open, honest disagreement. Disagreement isn’t hate. Passionate debate isn’t extremism. We can hold strong views and still recognise one another’s humanity.
Understanding what these words actually mean helps keep discussion grounded in truth rather than emotion. It reminds us that mutual respect and freedom of thought are the foundations of democracy itself.
If we want to preserve that democracy, we must relearn how to disagree, without dehumanising those who think differently.
📄 Summary Sheet (PDF)
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Anna, this is brilliant, thank you. This should be sent to all newspapers and tv outlets so the derogatory name calling of ordinary citizens can stop.
So important not to diminish the evil that the actual Nazis perpetrated and would have followed through on had they not been stopped 80 yeara ago - mass sterilisation and execution of all non-Aryan races, the "untermensch", those with hereditary illnesses or disabilities - to eventually repopulate the world with the master race. Pure evil.
To compare people who have a different political view to the left with such evil is totally wrong and diminishes the memory of so many decent people throughout the world who gave their lives to stop Hitler in his tracks.