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HOW TO BEAT THE PARTY HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY Brexit Party Campaign Cheat Sheet 1 2 3 The Brexit Party The Brexit Party ’s are dangerous exists to fight far-right friends and divisive. Nigel for a No Deal across are Farage is trying to Brexit, which will toxic - reminding rebrand, but years spark a recession, people who it is of inflammatory cause medicine that Farage has remarks mean that shortages, cost allied himself many voters will people their with hurts him be motivated to jobs, and make with key voter turnout by pointing austerity look groups. out the Brexit like a warm-up Party could have a act. Most voters decisive role in the don’t want this to next Parliament. happen! 4 5 The party In communities devastated by 40 years has attracted of de-industrialisation and a decade of numerous austerity, it is vital to focus on the fact extreme figures that the Brexit Party have no solutions and people to these problems. As UKIP leader, who promote Farage wanted austerity to go further, extremist for the NHS to be privatised and for messages. These workplace rights to be scrapped.

examples of Photo: outright , and scare many voters away.

Produced by Ltd, PO Box 61382, N19 9EQ Tel.: +44 (207) 9521181. www.hopenothate.org.uk @hope.n.hate @hopenothate HOPE not hate @hopenothate The Brexit Party are dangerous and divisive, but they can be beaten Photo: Facebook Photo: by Matthew McGregor, Campaigns Director

When the Brexit Party comfortably The threat from this party won the European Elections in is very real. Nigel Farage is May they set off a political dangerous, and has used earthquake. They have dropped racism and Islamophobia to down the news agenda since Boris stir up division. Farage’s anti- Johnson became Prime Minister, migrant “Breaking Point” poster but the Brexit Party surge in the in the EU referendum of 2016 polls shows no sign of being a was condemned as “vile” by flash in the pan. Their role could people from across the political be significant in a looming General spectrum. Election, and it is possible that He claimed he would be concerned the party could have MPs in the if Romanians moved in next door next parliament. to him. During the 2015 general But who are the Brexit Party, and election campaign, Farage became how worried should we be? known for the “shock and awful” HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

TV debate strategy, in which he frequently retweeted neo-Nazi deployed misleading statistics content. The party’s Treasurer was about foreigners with HIV. sacked after being exposed over His rhetoric has been appalling. antisemitic social media posts. Following the Westminster attack A Brexit Party campaign coordinator Farage spoke of a “ was sacked after a newspaper living inside these European highlighted his previous BNP countries” on . “If you membership. open your door to uncontrolled Even after attacking UKIP for immigration from Middle Eastern being taken over by the far right, countries you are inviting in Nigel Farage said that “there is terrorism”, said Farage. Farage no difference” between UKIP and even spun the tragedy to condemn the Brexit Party. Nigel Farage opposition to Trump’s proposed and the Brexit Party want to Muslim travel ban. present a mainstream image but Farage’s far-right connections time and time again, people with across Europe and the United extreme views have found their States are absolutely toxic. political home in this movement. He has cosied up to extreme The threat of the Brexit party is figures across the world. partly electoral: they played a Nigel Farage has more in common major role in the Peterborough with and Vladimir byelection, and are likely to be a Putin than with the common major factor in a looming General sense values of British people. Election. We can expect that most, Wherever he goes, he has found if not all of their candidates will common cause with far-right hold rightwing populist views, populists. He has promoted the at best. Needless to say, the far-right AfD party in Germany, presence of these people in the whose leaders have engaged next Parliament poses a serious in vitriolic Islamophobia and threat to our vision of a hopeful, anti-immigrant campaigns. tolerant country. He campaigned for far-right French But the threat is not only electoral. leader , despite By becoming a serious electoral having previously condemned threat, the Brexit Party is already her party for “prejudice and moving the political debate. antisemitism”. We need to provide our own While Farage is, by far, the most pushback against their politics of high profile figure in the Brexit division, and to help shape the Party, he is backed by a party that pushback of other progressive is rife with bad actors. forces. HOPE not hate and its supporters will play our part in The party’s first leader, Catherine that pushback. Blaiklock resigned abruptly after being exposed by HOPE not hate as having an extensive history of social media racism and had page 5 Photo: Steve Bowbrick / flickr / Bowbrick Steve Photo: HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY The Brexit Party: dangerous and divisive

The Brexit Party has carved out a role on the hard right of British politics, arguing vociferously for the most extreme form of Brexit, and savaging opponents with the dangerous language of “betrayal”. Whilst trickling policies out, the party currently has no manifesto, but it is possible to ascertain what the party might push for if it secures the election of any of its candidates in a forthcoming election. The Brexit Party is not a fascist or far-right party, unlike the , or what UKIP has become; saying otherwise at this stage would not only be factually incorrect, but would undermine our case against them. However, the party is rooted in dangerous and divisive , and has been shown to hold extreme and discriminatory tendencies within it, which have the potential to make their voices heard at the very top of the party. Photo: Facebook Photo: page 7

Racism and Islamophobia Farage has historically sought to Nazi propaganda and is widely exploit anxieties around immigration recognised as the low point of and appeal to the racist vote. the entire campaign. Farage has From 2013, under his leadership to this day refused to apologise UKIP adopted an increasingly anti- for it. immigrant tone, and Farage’s appeal l Blamed immigrants for making to racism was on stark display him late to one of his own during the EU Referendum, during speaking events, stating which he worked with Leave.EU, “That has nothing to do with of which Brexit Party Chairman professionalism, what it does was co-founder and have to do with is a country in co-chair. The campaign relentlessly which the population is going sought to stoke fears around through the roof chiefly because immigration, and shamefully of open-door immigration and exploited tragedies such as the the fact that the M4 is not as Orlando nightclub shooting. navigable as it used to be.” To take just a few examples, l Told LBC radio in 2014 that Farage has: “I was asked if a group of l Posed in front of the infamous Romanian men moved in next to ‘Breaking Point’ poster in the you, would you be concerned? lead up to the EU referendum, And if you lived in London, which has been compared to I think you would be”. HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

l Claimed that parts of Britain fix the totally broken and crime were “unrecognisable” and “like infested places from which a foreign land”. He had also they came,’’ Farage said the claimed he felt “awkward” when President’s comments were he heard people speaking other “genius”, that he “does things languages on the train. his way” and called him “a remarkably effective operator”. l When asked who he thought should be allowed to come to l Following the Westminster the UK, he said: “People who attack Farage spoke of a “fifth do not have HIV, to be frank. column living inside these That’s a good start. And people European countries” on Fox with a skill.” During the 2015 News. “If you open your door general election campaign, he to uncontrolled immigration deployed misleading statistics from Middle Eastern countries about foreigners with HIV in a you are inviting in terrorism”, TV debate. said Farage. He even spun the tragedy to condemn opposition l Defended US President Donald to Trump’s proposed Muslim Trump after he retweeted a post travel ban, stating “Surely an from , the far-right American audience seeing this anti-Muslim street movement horrendous thing happening in that has carried out “mosque Westminster should start to invasions” in the UK. Farage say to itself that when Donald called the outrage “out of all Trump tries to put in place proportion” and “ridiculous”. After vetting measures, he is doing it Trump told four congresswoman to protect your country”. of colour to “go back and help Photo: Photo: page 9

Whilst Farage is by far the most MEP: HOPE not high-profile figure within the hate revealed that Widdecombe Brexit Party, there are multiple appeared on the Richie Allen Show, party figures who have been a radio broadcast affiliated with tarnished by racism, Islamophobia conspiracy theorist or antisemitism scandals. that serves as an online platform These include: for antisemitic conspiracy Michael McGough, treasurer: theorists and Holocaust deniers. McGough was sacked as Treasurer Allen has also himself questioned after uncovered the numbers of that died him using antisemitic tropes in the Holocaust. Widdecombe about David Miliband and Peter appeared on the show three times Mandleson (claiming they have between August 2017 and April “shallow UK roots” or were “devoid 2019. Other guests on the episodes of UK roots”). He also referred featuring Widdecombe include to a foreigner as “someone from Kevin Barrett, an antisemite and a bingo bongo land”, and also 9/11 and 7/7 conspiracy theorist. said many of the survivors of the David Bull MEP: HOPE not hate Grenfell Tower fire were “illegal revealed that Bull also appeared aliens enjoying an amnesty”. on the Richie Allen Show in 30 He also claimed that “If we had April 2019. Bull later tweeted that sharia law then surely most of the the experience was a “pleasure” terrorist retards would be limbless and linked to his interview via the as they all seem to have past website Conspiracy Daily Update (a criminal records for theft site which contains numerous links and violence”. to the show of former Ku Klux Klan Kevin Moore, campaign coordinator leader and nazi Mark for the North West: Moore was Collett). The following guest on sacked after his past as a member the episode was , the and candidate for the fascist American white nationalist and co- British National Party (BNP) was host of Radio, the premier exposed by the Manchester media outlet of the alt-right. Evening News. Stuart Waiton, PPC: The PPC for Noel Matthews, national election Dundee West and MEP candidate agent: Matthews was uncovered by in Scotland was revealed by BuzzFeed to have posted an article HOPE not hate to have made sympathetic to far-right extremist five appearances on Allen’s show Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA between 27 June 2018 and 9 May Tommy Robinson), founder of the 2019. Other guests on the show violent anti-Muslim street gang the during Waiton’s appearances . Matthews include Kevin Barrett. wrote that “Tommy Robinson Drew James Bartholomew, MEP Attention to Grooming Gangs. candidate: Bartholomew was Britain Has Persecuted Him”, and uncovered by The Guardian to have also claimed that “Islamophobia is repeatedly applauded the work of a silly, made up word”. Charles Murray, author of The Bell HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

Catherine Blaiklock Kevin Moore Michael McGough (Twitter) (Twitter) (YouTube)

Curve, a notorious book on IQ and Farage’s new party have promoted race, and claimed that majority- bombing mosques, deporting black urban areas were dominated imams and killing Muslims”. by “a culture of physical violence, Incidents by former Conservatives selfishness and predatory sex”. who went on to support the John Booker: A PPC for Penistone Brexit Party include claims that and Stocksbridge and ex-UKIP “ is no different to Nazism”, councillor, Booker was revealed joking about gun attacks at local to have shared Islamophobic mosques, and posting several statements on Facebook in 2017, “tears of joy” emojis in response including that a screenshot of an to an article about the suffering of email chain which suggets the Uighur Muslims at alleged Chinese US was “cutting its own throat” concentration camps. because it was “not fighting back” ‘Brexit Party’ Facebook Group: In against increasing “Islamist” August 2019 revealed a influence in the country. Facebook group created by Brexit Mark Nash: Announced as the Party supporters, and used by party’s PPC for Moray, Nash was activists to discuss canvassing, sacked after it was revealed he contained numerous instances of ran a blog in which he claimed Islamophobia. The party denied mosques should be bulldozed links to the group but its members and the “cancer” of Islam in the included at least four prospective UK should be “crushed out of parliamentary candidates and a existence”. Rotherham Brexit Party councillor (who was subsequently dismissed). Suspended Conservatives: In May 2019 reported that Conservative members suspended for Islamophobia have campaigned for the Brexit Party, and that “activists supporting Nigel page 11

Sexism anti-feminist activist Paul Elam, who also spoke at the 2016 Nigel Farage: Farage defended conference. Elam has repeatedly US President Donald Trump used violent language against when recordings surfaced of him women, for example, calling for the boasting that his status meant he month of October to be renamed could “grab” women “by the pussy”, “Bash a Violent Bitch Month” claiming that it was “locker room (before claiming this was “”). banter” and “alpha male boasting”. AVFM also ran the now-deleted During his time as leader, UKIP website Register Her, which posted adopted a policy to abolish personal details of women who statutory maternity pay. Farage has were believed to have falsely also claimed that women should accused men of rape, or were “sit in the corner” if they wanted to otherwise regarded as anti-men. breastfeed their children, in order Daubney defended Elam in 2015 not to be “openly ostentatious”. as having “long been smeared” as one of “the internet’s biggest anti- Ann Widdecombe MEP: Whilst feminist bogeyman”. a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother in early 2018, Widdecombe claimed that the victims of Promoting the Far Right Online Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood HOPE not hate has revealed that producer who has faced numerous numerous Brexit Party figures allegations of sexual harassment have shared content from far-right and assualt, “had a choice”, stating figures online: “That’s on them. That was down to them”. : The far-right conspiracy theorist and Editor- John Tennant MEP: The Guardian at-Large of conspiracy theory site has revealed that Tennant made InfoWars has been retweeted by crude and obscene comments Nigel Farage, Farage’s press aide about women and children on Dan Jukes and MEP Facebook. a staggering combined total of James Bartholomew, MEP 877 times (695 of them Heaver). candidate: The Guardian has : Collett, a former revealed that Bartholomew has British National Party (BNP) figure supported benefit cuts for single and neo-Nazi who has frequently mothers, a policy that he argued collaborated with former Ku Klux would reinforce “the shame Klan leader David Duke, has been attached to illegitimacy”. retweeted by MEPs Martin Daubney MEP: The leading and . The post Brexit Party figure and PPC for retweeted by Forman features a Ashfield was revealed by HOPE picture of protestors following the not hate to have spoken at the Grenfell Tower tragedy, reading 2016 International Conference on “Funny how the people who insist Men’s Issues (ICMI). The ICMI was candles & peace vigils are the founded by A Voice For Men (AVFM), answer to Islamic terrorism are now an organisation run by notorious ready to riot over a tragic accident.” HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

Stefan Molyneux: Farage, Peter Immanuelsen (AKA Peter Daubney, Heaver, Jukes, Brexit Sweden): Farage, Gill, Jukes and Party head of press Gawain Welsh Assembly Member Mark Towler and MEP candidate Reckless have all retweeted George Farmer have also Immanuelsen, a far-right social retweeted , a media personality who has racist Canadian social media previously denied the Holocaust personality who, as the Southern (although has since backtracked) Poverty Law Centre writes, and claimed that “Hitler had “amplifies “,” some good points”. Farage’s (now eugenics and white supremacism deleted) retweet claimed “There’s to a massive new audience”. been 3 bombings in Sweden now in Over the past year Molyneux just 5 days. And you heard nothing has increasingly flirted with about it in mainstream media. open and Trump was right about Sweden.” antisemitism. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Faith Goldy: Farage, Jukes, Tommy Robinson): Jukes has Heaver and MEP have retweeted several posts from retweeted posts by Faith Goldy, Lennon, English Defence League a Canadian alt-right figure who founder, prominent anti-Muslim was fired from her role at far-right activist and serial criminal. media outlet Rebel Media in 2017 The influence of Lennon on UKIP after appearing on a neo-Nazi was stated by Farage as a major podcast. She has also recited reason for his defection and the nazi “14 words” slogan in a the subsequent creation of YouTube video. the Brexit Party.

Paul Joseph Watson Mark Collett Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (YouTube) (Twitter) Photo: Hope not hate page 13

Overseas Connections Key figures in the Brexit Party, most notably leader Nigel Farage, have connections to a number of far right and otherwise unsavoury figures overseas. Whilst the Brexit Party does not sit on a group in the , with MEPs claiming a supposedly principled stance about not allying with the far right, the comments and actions of figures now prominent in the party show clear connections and/or sympathies for anti- immigrant and racist actors in Europe and the USA. : Farage is a longtime associate of the far-right actor Steve Bannon, former advisor to US President Donald Trump and former boss of Network. Bannon was responsible for increasing the confrontational tone and anti-immigrant attacks of Steve Bannon Breitbart, which became obsessed Photo: Gage Skidmore with the supposed decline of the West at the hands of liberals and Muslims. Farage formerly had a video, Bannon offered Farage a column at the outlet, and Brexit role helping to “knit together this Party MEPs Michael Heaver and populist nationalist movement Martin Daubney have written for it throughout the world” making numerous times. The Brexit Party’s reference to far-right Indian Press Officer, Liam Deacon, was Prime Minister Narenda Modi, a former key writer for Breitbart and Phillipino autocratic populist London when it was under the Rodrigo Duterte, telling Farage that editorship of Farage’s former he thinks he is the “perfect guy” for advisor . the role. In the video Farage agrees Farage has described Bannon as the project is a “worthwhile thing”. “my kind of chap”, and has even : On Bannon’s bequest given Bannon a portrait of him Farage appeared at a rally in dressed as Napoleon Bonaparte. support of Alabama Republican The day Article 50 was triggered, candidate Roy Moore in 2017, Farage thanked Bannon and stating that it took him “a whole Breitbart, saying they had “helped ten seconds to decide to drop with this hugely.” In a recent everything” and appear at the rally. HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

Moore’s spokesman has said that extensive links between RN and he “probably” wants to make Generation Identity, a far-right “homosexual conduct” illegal, and youth movement whose French has claimed that Muslims should branch received donations from not be able to be members of the Christchurch terrorist. Congress, claiming that Islam is Alternative fur Deutschland “directly contrary to the principles (AfD): Farage has campaigned for of the constitution”. Moore has the anti-Muslim AfD at a rally in also been accussed of sexually September 2017, being welcomed assaulting multiple teenage girls, to the stage by top AfD politician which he has denied. . Whilst at UKIP Farage also welcomed von Storch Campaigning for Moore after to his EFDD group in the European these allegations, Farage claimed Parliament, saying “I’ve watched he had “absolutely no hesitation the rise of the AfD with fascination putting my support, and my and interest, and I’ve been backing, behind a man like Judge cheering from the sidelines”. Roy Moore”, and claimed that his election was “important for the The AfD is one of the most explicit whole global movement across the anti-Muslim parties in Europe, West that we have built up and we arguing that Islam is incompatible with Europe, and von Storch have fought for”. herself has a history of anti-Muslim Marine Le Pen: Despite previously activity, for example accusing the condemning the party for Cologne police of appeasing “the “prejudice and antisemitism”, barbaric, Muslim, gang-raping Farage openly supported the hordes of men”. National Front (renamed National Victor Orbán: Farage has claimed Assembly, or RN) leader Marine Le he “admires” Hungarian Prime Pen in the 2017 French presidential Minister Orbán, calling him “the elections. Farage provided her with strongest and best leader in the a friendly interview with on LBC in whole of Europe”, and telling March 2017, stating “she has a huge Orbán to “Come and join the amount in common with firstly the Brexit club, you’ll love it!”. Brexit campaign and secondly with Other Brexit Party figures have President Trump”. He also called posted supportively of Orban on her the “real deal”. social media. Orbán and his party Fidesz have increasingly turned RN has fascist roots, and remains to nativist and authoritarian extreme despite Le Pen’s attempts policies. The Council of Europe to “de-demonise” its image. For has called out Hungary for human example, in July 2018 Le Pen’s rights violations in respect of advisor Jean Messiha told an the treatment of migrants, who interviewer that when it came to have reportedly even been denied Muslim immigration into France basic amenities such as food, as “We are at war now. Our country well as for new laws targeting the is under invasion and we are homeless (who are predominantly fighting this invasion”. A 2018 Al disabled, migrants, refugees and Jazeera investigation uncovered Roma). The European Parliament page 15 (Photo: YouTube) (Photo: has also opened the possibility of between races when it comes to sanctions proceedings after new IQ”. Among Watson’s numerous laws were introduced threatening instances of Islamophobia is his the independence of the country’s 2015 claim that “there’s no such judiciary and media. thing as moderate Islam. Islam is , InfoWars and Paul a violent, intolerant religion which, Joseph Watson: Farage has in its current form, has no place appeared six times on InfoWars, in liberal western democracies.” the show of American conspiracy Watson has also posted images of theorist Alex Jones, who has been golliwogs online. HOPE not hate described by the Southern Poverty analysis shows that Heaver has Law Centre as “the most prolific retweeted Watson 695 times, Jukes conspiracy theorist in contemporary has done so 151 times and Farage America”. Conspiracies forwarded has done so 31 times. by Jones include the claims that : Farage and Jukes the 7/7 bombings were staged by have been photographed with the British government, and that American far-right conspiracy the Sandy Hook school shooting theorist Jack Posobiec. A former was a “false flag attack”. host for the Canadian far-right Michael Heaver MEP and Farage’s platform Rebel Media who has comms director Dan Jukes are been linked to white supremacists, associates of Jones’ protege Paul Posobiec was a key promoter of Joseph Watson, a far-right vlogger. the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory, Media Matters have uncovered which alleged that a Washington DC Watson’s claims that liberals are pizzeria was a front for a paedophile anti-science for not accepting that ring that stretched to the top of African and Middle Eastern people the Democratic Party. Farage has are more aggressive because they retweeted content from Posobiec, have lower IQs, stating “You can’t as has Jukes and MEPs Heaver, deny that there are differences Nathan Gill and Martin Daubney. HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

Dangerous and Divisive the EU to the emancipation of slaves, claiming “There is a pattern The modus operandi of Farage consistent throughout history of and the Brexit Party is to deepen oppressed people turning on their existing divisions and exploit the oppressors, slaves against their crisis of mistrust in society. The owners, the peasantry against the Brexit Party has focused much of feudal barons, colonies against its energy towards savaging British empires, and that is why Britain institutions, which are presented is leaving”. as out of touch, elite, and often sinister, and claiming that failure to leave by 31 October amounts Structure to “betrayal”. Below are just a Whilst the Brexit Party has few examples of this kind of painted itself as a “movement for dangerous rhetoric employed by democracy”, very little of it seems Brexit Party figures. to exist within the party, which has Nigel Farage, prior to the founding been described by Farage’s ally of the Brexit Party, has claimed and Tice’s former colleague Arron he would “don khaki, pick up a Banks as “almost a dictatorship at rifle and head for the front lines” the centre”. The party has adopted if Prime Minister a peculiar structure that sidesteps failed to deliver Brexit “properly”, usual accountability for the leader, claiming “there will be widespread and essentially enables him to lead public anger in this country on a however he wants. scale and in a way we have never The party’s constitution, available seen before”. He has also referred on the Electoral Commission (EC) to and David Miliband website, makes reference to a as “quislings”, a term that has been membership that “shall be open used by several Brexit Party figures, to any natural person who shares including MEP John Longworth. the party’s objectives and core MEP has been beliefs”. However, at current the exposed by The Guardian calling for public can only sign up to be a EU fishing vessels to be “given the paying “registered supporter”, same treatment as the Belgrano”, rather than an official member. the Argentinian ship sunk by the Whilst the Brexit Party claims to British in 1982. Rowlands has also have amassed over 115,000 such claimed at a Brexit Party event supporters, they currently do not that “Parliament has abolished the have a say in its leadership. referendum and declared war on The constitution puts the Leader in the British people… There might charge of giving “political direction” not be tanks on the streets, but to the party and responsibility for make no mistake: this is a coup “the development of the Party’s against democracy”. policies with the agreement of the Ann Widdecombe MEP: In the first Board”. The party’s Board functions Brexit Party MEP speech in the as its “principal management European Parliament, Widdecombe and administrative authority”, likened the UK’s departure from dealing with funds, structure and page 17 employees, approving policies and Funding conducting disciplinary procedures. The Leader’s term runs for “four Additionally, the Brexit Party has years”, and can be elected for employed a somewhat murky successive terms, and a motion of funding system. In June the no confidence in the leader can Electoral Commission ordered the only be passed by no fewer than Brexit Party to overhaul its funding five members of the Board. process, ruling that it was “open to a high and ongoing risk of receiving However, this Board is to be made and accepting impermissible up of “between 4 and 8 Party donations”. The party had claimed members”, who are appointed that much of its funding came from by the Party leader. The Leader small donations, and donations of also sits on the Board alongside less than £500 are exempt from the Chairman, who, of course, is the requirement of registering with also selected by the party Leader, the EC. Because it used payment meaning that Farage can fill the systems such as PayPal, the party Board with yes men. Farage told could potentially have accepted in May that donations from foreign donors, who he is “running a company, not could have donated multiple times. a ”, and that “The Chairman Richard Tice and I are The party has also attracted a not afraid to make decisions”. number of large donors, most notably the former Conservative backers Jeremy Hosking and Christopher Harborne, who have donated nearly £250,000 and £200,000 respectively. The party also received £100,000 from George Farmer, who unsuccessfully stood for the party in the European Elections in May. Farmer is the son of the multimillionaire former Tory treasurer, and also a former member of Oxford University’s notorious Bullingdon Club, which also counts Prime Ministers and as former members. He also heads up Turning Point UK, the British branch of the pro-Trump American student organisation.

The Brexit Party Chairman Richard Tice Photo: I7p0h8o0n9e0 / wikimedia.org HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY Understanding Brexit Party voters

Those who voted for the Brexit People who voted for the Brexit party in the recent European party in the European Elections elections are not a homogenous 2019 (n = 398 weighted). All group. To beat the Brexit party figures, unless otherwise stated, in forthcoming elections means are from YouGov Plc. Total understanding how they split, and sample size was 1,705 adults. how to get our messaging right. Fieldwork was undertaken We’ve identified about three groups between 30th – 31st May 2019. of Brexit party voters. Around 10% The survey was carried out are right wing libertarians – they online. The figures have been want to privatise the NHS, do weighted and are representative not support welfare of any form, of all GB adults (aged 18+). encourage spending cuts. Then there is a larger share of party members and would be put voters who would draw the line at off with an association with the far extremely racist comments from right – this supports their rejection Photo: Facebook Photo: page 19 of Batten and UKIP as the party has l At the same time, almost as swung further right. At the same many think Farage is a divisive time, they don’t see Farage himself character (36%) as is not as racist, and Farage’s efforts to divisive (37%) keep quiet on immigration under l 82% say Nigel Farage is not the Brexit party banner mean many racist – 35% of the total in this group won’t see a link. population would say he isn’t racist. Just 3% of Brexit party Then we find a third group of voters would say he is racist voters who hold far more anti- l  immigrant and racist views, and 80% of Brexit party voters say see the far-left as a much greater they think Nigel Farage would be threat than the far right. a strong leader – only 3% think he would be a weak leader Brexit party voters are united in that they are motivated by Brexit How they split and are optimistic about a no-deal l 56% of Brexit party voters say outcome. They like Farage because they would think worse of the they see him as a plain-speaking, Brexit party if leading members strong leader who is a real man of were found to make racist and the people. anti-Muslim comments. 30% To beat the Brexit party, we can said this would not shift their capitalise on these splits between positive view of the party their voters and supporters l 42% of Brexit party voters say to target different groups. But they would think worse of the we also need to understand Brexit party if leading members that they are very dismissive of supported opening up the NHS smears, in the same way they to more privatisation. 30% dismiss economic projections of said this would not shift their the far right due to their anti- positive view of the party. 8% establishment motives. The said this would actually make majority of their supporters reject them think better of the party extremes, but draw the lines on l 38% of Brexit party voters say racism further away than most. they would think worse of the Brexit party if the party aligned itself with far-right parties How they see Farage across Europe. But 34% said this l When asked what words they would not shift their positive most associate with Nigel view of the party Farage, Brexit party voters are l A third (33%) of Brexit party most likely to say plain speaking voters say they would think (55%) pro-Britain (45%), Patriotic worse of the Brexit party if the (26%), Leader (24%), Man of the party supported greater public people (23%) or strong (18%). spending cuts. But 39% said this Only 2% would say far right, would not shift their positive 4% would say extreme, and no view of the party and 8% said Brexit party voters saw him as this would actually make them racist or anti-Muslim think better of the party HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY Understanding Brexit Party Supporters

Who supports the Brexit Party? image is cutting through the reality of his background. To beat the Brexit Party, it is l They are, unsurprisingly, very important to know what drives the Brexit motivated and very people who might vote for them. An optimistic about what Brexit analysis of polling commissioned will bring. by HOPE not hate provides valuable l They feel betrayed by delays to insight into the views of Brexit Britain’s departure from the EU Party supporters, where they stand and would not be put off if a on the key issues, and how they campaign to stop the overturning feel about the key personalities in of Brexit became violent. British politics today: l Brexit party supporters are not This article contains an analysis homogenous in their views. of those who said they hold a There are some clear splits favourable view of the Brexit party between distinct groups of (n=934 weighted) in our Fear & supporters in terms of their HOPE polling. All figures, unless support for the NHS, support otherwise stated, are from YouGov for welfare and zero hours Plc. Total sample size was 6,118 contracts. adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th April – 1st May 2019. The survey was carried out online. What the polling says The figures have been weighted on the key issues and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). Brexit l Brexit Party supporters are l Britain leaving the EU is, overwhelmingly anti-immigrant, unsurprisingly, the most hostile towards Muslims in important issue for Brexit party Britain, but do not like the supporters (60%), followed by hard-core narrative of ‘Tommy immigration and asylum (35%), Robinson’ or . health (32%) and crime (30%). l Despite the fact this voter block l 84% of Brexit party voters want is highly likely to turn out to Britain to leave the EU without vote, they are very mistrustful of a deal. 13% want to leave on politicians. the terms negotiated by the l They are really followers of Government, just 2% want to Farage: their trust in UKIP has leave the EU but stay inside degraded but they still hold the customs union and single Nigel in high regard. At the same market. time, they really want politicians l However, Brexit party supporters to listen to them more, so his are incredibly optimistic about ‘say what we’re all thinking’ what Brexit will bring: page 21 l Just 11% think that their instead remain a member of personal economic the EU, they would support a circumstances will get worse in campaign to ensure Britain does the next few years after Britain go ahead and leave the EU leaves the EU l If as part of this campaign there l 30% think it will get better were protests that then became and 59% think there will be no violent, or threatened violence, change 77% of those supporting such l 57% think the economic a campaign would not consider circumstances of the country as their view. Only 9% would a whole will get better reconsider their position. l  13% think they will get worse Islam, immigration and and 30% think there will be no noticeable change l The great majority of Brexit l  84% think that the British Party supporters are extremely economy as a whole will be opposed to multiculturalism and better off after the UK leaves immigration: the EU, just 2% say they think l  the economy will be worse off 71% say that having a wide variety of backgrounds and l 65% think that economic cultures has undermined British prospects for themselves and culture their families will be better after Britain leaves the EU, just l 67% say that on the whole, 1% say this would be better if immigration into Britain has Britain remained an EU member been a bad thing for the country l 78% think that opportunities for l 73% say that Britain’s multiracial children growing up today would society isn’t working and be better if the UK leaves the different communities generally EU – just 2% think these would live separate lives. be better if we remained They see multiculturalism as having This is worrying given the predicted a more negative than positive impacts of the hard Brexit these effect on both British culture (72% same people are seeking. A say negative, 12% say positive) devastating impact on the economy and, to a slightly lesser extent the that does not match up with British economy (44% say negative, their false hopes will see a rise in 30% say positive). frustration, anger and anti-politics l They are extremely negative sentiment. about the state of Britain l The majority are already very today. When asked if they think angry about the delay to that, overall, things now are Britain’s departure from the better or worse than they were EU (89% compared to 35% ten years ago, 76% say that nationally): things are worse for Britain as l 81% say that if it looked as a whole. Just 22% think things though Brexit was about to be are better for themselves and reversed, and Britain would their families. HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY

l 78% think that new immigrants l At the same time, slightly more are given priority ahead over think discrimination is a serious established residents when problem for Muslims in Britain it comes to benefits or using today (32%) as deny this (31%). public services. l Brexit party supporters share l Just 11% think that a sharp an assimilationist view of reduction in immigration after integration which reflects the UK leaves the EU will have their anti-Muslim and anti- an adverse effect on the British immigrant views. The most economy; 67% refute this. popular intervention to improve l 42% feel very strongly that community relations in Britain immigration has on balance are banning religious clothing made this country worse. that covers the face, like the A large share of Brexit party burqa (56%), controlling and supporters hold strong anti- reducing new immigration (47%) Muslim views: and compulsory English classes for all new immigrants (44%). l 37% see Muslims extremely negatively, distinctly different Values and identity from their view on all other l Brexit Party supporters think religious groups that British values are in decline l 63% think that Islam is generally (42% strongly agree that they a threat to the British way of are). life. Just 14% think it is generally l Brexit party supporters are compatible slightly more likely to identify l When asked why, 44% said as English (49%) than British they saw Islam as a threat to (48%). The population as a the British way of life because whole is much more likely to Islam breeds intolerance for see themselves as British (59%) free speech and calls for violent than English (26%). actions against those who mock, l Brexit party supporters are more criticise or depict the religion in optimistic about the future ways they believe are offensive; 40% said so because they believe than the majority population: that Islam seeks to replace 49% are optimistic, 51% are British law with Sharia law pessimistic. 75% are happy with their lives so far. l 79% think that Islam poses a serious threat to Western Party affiliation civilisation l The majority of Brexit party l 63% believe that there are no supporters hold a very high level go areas in Britain where sharia of support – on a scale of 1-100, law dominates and non-Muslims where 0 means you absolutely cannot enter; only 12% disagree would never vote for the l 48% say they would feel very party and 100 means you feel uncomfortable if they passed politically very warm towards a woman in the street wearing the party, 75% place themselves religious clothing that covers between 90-100, 23% at 81 – 90 the face and 2% between 71-80. page 23 l Most have a broken relationship with the Conservative party, feeling let down by delays to 79% Britain’s exit from the EU. of Brexit Party supporters A third (33%) feel strongly that think that Islam poses a they would absolutely never serious threat to Western vote Conservative, while 14% say civilisation they still feel very warm towards the party. l 79% think that political l Most also have a broken correctness is causing the relationship with UKIP: just police and media to deliberately 24% of Brexit party supporters play down the ethnic felt very warm towards UKIP, background of some child sex with 29% saying that they abuse scandals would definitely never vote for l  the party. Just 4% say they think the political system works well Personalities l 77% feel very strongly that l Brexit Party supporters have politicians should pay more a very positive view of Nigel attention to voters views – Farage. 64% see him very more than the average person favourably. But they dislike (50% of total feel the same way) Gerard Batten. Just 5% see him l Despite their support for very favourably. ‘strongman’ politician Farage, l The majority also oppose just 6% feel strongly that Tommy Robinson. 37% see politicians should lead the way, him very unfavourably, while and not be swayed too easily by 11% see him very favourably public opinion. – though this is over 5 times l 87% think that you cannot greater than the proportion be proud of your national of the population as a whole, identity these days without among whom 2% see him very being called racist, with only positively. 11% agreeing that Brexit has Anti-politics enabled and legitimised prejudice towards migrants and Brexit party supporters share ethnic minorities. a strong anti-politics and anti- l 44% feel very strongly that establishment view: discrimination against white l  83% think that political people has become as big correctness is used by the a problem as discrimination liberal elite to limit what we against non-white people. can say Just 8% feel very strongly that l 80% say that none of the main discrimination against non- political parties speak for me white people continues to l 59% believe that the media and be far more significant than politicians work together to lie any discrimination against to the public white people. HOW TO BEAT THE BREXIT PARTY Nigel Farage’s far right friends

Sweden’s far right and anti- immigrant Swedish Democrats were actively involved in Nigel Farage’s Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group in the European Parliament.

Nigel Farage has promoted the far-right Nigel Farage has AfD party in Germany, supported far-right whose leaders have French leader Marine engaged in vitriolic Le Pen, despite having Islamophobia and anti- previously condemned immigrant campaigns. her party for “prejudice and antisemitism”.

Farage has claimed that he “admires” Victor Orbán, saying Farage has spoken that he is “the admiringly of strongest and Matteo Salvini, the best leader in leader of the far the whole of right Lega party. Europe”. Orbán is an authoritarian leader who called Muslim refugees “invaders”.