“Reform are trying to use racism to build their electoral base"
Birmingham Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) is calling on communities to protest Reform UK’s conference.
The political party will be holding their annual conference in the city on September 5 and 6, 2025, at the NEC.
The conference comes as the party faces criticism over its stance on immigration and asylum.
Nigel Farage had pledged to detain and deport up to 600,000 people with no right to be in the UK, as part of Reform UK’s strategy to tackle illegal migration.
Campaigners say Reform UK is scapegoating migrants for wider social and economic problems facing Britain.
In its call for protest, SUTR accused Reform of attempting to stir division for political gain. The group said Reform has aligned itself with well-known fascists while encouraging hostility towards refugees.
A spokesperson for SUTR said: “Reform are trying to use racism to build their electoral base amidst widespread bitterness against the failures of the mainstream parties.
“They have supported protests at refugee accommodation across Britain, protests which are giving a platform to far-right and fascist organisations.”
SUTR also criticised Reform UK for spreading claims without evidence.
These include linking refugees and Muslim communities to sexual violence. The group said the party’s policies consistently benefit the wealthy, pointing to its support for NHS privatisation.
SUTR added: “Meanwhile, millionaire Farage’s party backs every policy that makes the wealthy even richer, including the privatisation of our NHS.”
The organisation also condemned Farage’s proposal to deport 600,000 migrants.
The group said: “Nigel Farage’s ‘plan’ to deport 600,000 migrants is his latest attempt to ratchet up the hostile, racist mood sweeping the country.
“Reform UK, aided by the Tories and the Labour government have generated a panic about immigration that has resulted in mobs laying siege to hotels housing asylum seekers, including families with children.
“Reform UK officials have stood alongside well-known fascist organisers and encouraged the intimidation of completely innocent people.”
SUTR accused Farage of falsely blaming migrants for pressures on housing, wages, schools and the NHS. It said Reform UK’s leaders are multi-millionaires who ignore the struggles of ordinary people.
SUTR added:
“The founders of Reform UK, including Farage, are multi-millionaires who will always look after their own class, the very rich.”
“Their propaganda is a mixture of false facts, lies and conspiracy theories. We have seen this before in the 1930s in Europe.”
SUTR stressed that migrants contribute socially, economically and culturally, calling Birmingham a “vibrant multicultural City of Sanctuary.”
The group urged unity against policies it says are designed to divide communities.
SUTR said: “They must be opposed at every opportunity.”
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