When I joined the party, family and friends asked me this directly, and my answer was no. Democracy does not discriminate by religion or the colour of your skin. Talking about border control and illegal entry into Britain does not make you racist. Political opponents and parts of the media use these accusations to scare voters or win votes, but honest debate on policy is not racism. My politics are about fairness, security, and representing everyone.
I believe Reform UK is willing to address issues other parties avoid, from border control to accountability and political reform. I joined to stand for common sense, honest debate, and putting local people first, not party politics as usual.
Most people lock their front door, not because they dislike others, but because boundaries and security matter. A country is no different. Having secure borders and clear rules about who enters is about order, safety and fairness, not race. Supporting border control is a policy position, not racism.
Yes, I have. From school right through to this day, I have experienced racism. One example I’ll give is from almost two decades ago at work, when I was racially abused in front of another person, so there was no doubt about what happened. I was asked what I wanted done. I could have pushed for that person to lose their job, but I chose not to. I believed it was better for them to understand they were wrong and learn about other cultures. For me, education is a better answer than revenge.
No. I don’t agree with everything, and I don’t think any serious politician should pretend they do. Local issues should be tailored to each community, because what works in one area may not work in another. I will always put local people and common sense first.
Before I stood for as a candidate, I was already doing the work for years. I’ve been helping people in the community long before politics, and people encouraged me to stand up officially and represent them. I’m not coming into politics to become someone different, I’m bringing into politics what I was already doing.
No. A new generation of people is coming into politics, including people from business and real-world careers, and that makes sense. We need people who understand responsibility, how to manage money, and how decisions affect everyday lives, not just career politicians.
No. My record shows the opposite. We built a multi-faith food bank to help bridge communities together. That is about bringing people together, not dividing them. It is not always easy, but it is not impossible. My politics is about building stronger communities, not creating division.
I admire people from very different backgrounds. Winston Churchill for leadership under pressure. Lindsay Hoyle for fairness. Matthew Lynch for asking the questions others avoid. And Michelle O’Neill and Oliver McMullan because politics in Northern Ireland has taught me something important, democracy can be hard, messy and fragile, but it can still bring people together when leaders genuinely care.
Yes, it created strain in some relationships at first. Once I explained why I joined and what I believe it can bring, some understood, some did not. That is the reality of politics. I also think parts of the media often portray the party in the easiest or most negative way, which can shape perceptions. But I would rather have honest disagreements than hide what I believe
No. I’ve judged people by how they’ve treated me, not by assumptions others make. I’ve been welcomed, supported, and judged on my contribution and experience. If I ever believed I was in a party that judged people by the colour of their skin, I would not be in it.
Yes, sometimes people assume your background should dictate your politics. I reject that. People of every background can think for themselves, disagree, and make their own choices. That is what democracy is.
I’ve been asked this a lot, including by friends and family. My answer is no. Common sense tells you the NHS is under pressure, but that is not the same as being sold off. Too often this is used by some political voices to win votes or scare communities. I believe in protecting the NHS, improving it, and being honest with people, not using fear.