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A recent survey has unveiled troubling sentiments within Reform UK, the political party led by Nigel Farage, revealing that a significant portion of its members harbours extreme views on immigration. The findings indicate that one in five members believes non-white British citizens, even those with British-born parents, should be forcibly removed or incentivised to leave the country. This stark revelation comes from a report by the charity Hope Not Hate, which assessed the attitudes of 629 party members.
Extreme Views on Immigration
The data, collected by Survation on behalf of Hope Not Hate as part of its 2026 report titled “State of Hate: It Could Happen Here,” highlights a concerning level of intolerance. Over half of the respondents expressed that non-white British citizens born abroad should be forcibly removed or encouraged to depart, a stark contrast to the 24 per cent who feel the same about their white counterparts. Nick Lowles, the charity’s chief executive, underscored the findings, stating that the party’s members are generally “more pessimistic, angry and extreme” than the broader British public.
Lowles cautioned that while there is a solid base of support for Farage, the hardline views prevalent among party members could either lead Reform UK further to the right or alienate them if the party attempts to moderate its stance in pursuit of broader appeal.
Reform UK’s Staunch Immigration Policies
These revelations come on the heels of comments made by Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesperson, who characterised the UK as being “invaded” by migrants. During a speech in Dover, Yusuf laid out the party’s controversial immigration strategies, which include the establishment of a “UK Deportation Command” tasked with identifying, detaining, and deporting individuals residing in the UK illegally. The ambitious goal is to remove as many as 288,000 people annually.
Furthermore, the party has threatened to impose “visa freezes” on countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria if they refuse to accept back migrants without legal residency in the UK. Reform UK anticipates that, if elected, they could deport upwards of 600,000 individuals during their first term.
A Divided Membership
The survey also revealed that nearly half of Reform UK’s members (46 per cent) prefer not to interact with people of diverse ethnicities and religions in their local communities. This is in stark contrast to a broader national sentiment, where 77 per cent of the general British population enjoys mixing with individuals from various backgrounds.
Additionally, the poll found that two-thirds of Reform members hold a favourable view of Rupert Lowe, a former member who has since founded a rival right-wing party, Restore Britain. Interestingly, over half of the members expressed a desire for a “strong and decisive leader” with the authority to bypass Parliament, indicating a preference for autocratic governance over parliamentary democracy.
Implications for British Politics
Reform UK currently leads in voting intention polls, claiming 23 per cent support and boasting over 270,000 members. However, the party’s trajectory appears increasingly radical, with Lowles describing their policy positions as “probably the most extreme” seen from a major political party in recent history.
The poll also indicates a pervasive fear among members, with 66 per cent believing that civil unrest is imminent in Britain. Alarmingly, 8 per cent of the general population concur with this view, anticipating a civil war either between communities or against the state within the next five years.
Why it Matters
These findings underscore a significant shift in political attitudes within parts of the UK, reflecting a growing radicalisation that could have profound implications for the country’s social cohesion and democratic processes. As Reform UK continues to gain traction, the potential for increased divisiveness and extremism poses a critical challenge not only for the party but for the fabric of British society as a whole. The need for dialogue and understanding has never been more crucial as these sentiments gain a foothold in mainstream politics.