Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

muriel_volestrangler

(102,618 posts)
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 04:06 AM Jun 2024

Kemi Badenoch gets lucky: her Reform opponent had admitted being a BNP supporter

so the party's chucked him out, but it's too late to remove him from the ballot. So while her rivals in the next Tory leadership contest have to concentrate on holding on to their own seats, she can spend her time drumming up support among whatever Tory MPs do get re-elected, and positioning herself as the next leader with the party faithful.

The Reform UK candidate Grant StClair-Armstrong has resigned after it was discovered he had previously encouraged people to vote for the far-right British National party.

StClair-Armstrong, 71, is standing for election in North West Essex, challenging the business secretary, Kemi Badenoch.

The Times reported that he wrote a blog post in 2010 that lamented the state of the UK, writing: “I could weep now, every time I pick up a British newspaper and read the latest about the state of the UK. No doubt, Enoch Powell would be doing the same if he was alive. My solution … vote BNP!”

His comments were unearthed from an archived version of the Joli Triste website, which has since been changed. It also featured posts including racial slurs about Chinese and Pakistani people and a joke about “female hormones”.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/16/reform-uk-candidate-resigns-over-previous-comments-backing-bnp

She's now the clear favourite as next leader (about 7/2, with the closest being Priti Patel around 6/1): https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-conservative-leader

And remember - Badenoch was the candidate in the previous leader election who looked too extreme even for Nadine Dorries: https://www.democraticunderground.com/108821831
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kemi Badenoch gets lucky: her Reform opponent had admitted being a BNP supporter (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Jun 2024 OP
North West Essex..... T_i_B Jun 2024 #1
He does sound loathsome, even by Reform's standards. LeftishBrit Jun 2024 #2

T_i_B

(14,805 posts)
1. North West Essex.....
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 06:18 AM
Jun 2024

....is one of those very safe seats where it is inconceivable that the Conservatives could ever lose.

But sadly it's not a surprise that Reform would mess up like this. The Conservatives should be very wary of any attempt to merge with those clowns as they won't work well with anyone they deem "woke".

LeftishBrit

(41,307 posts)
2. He does sound loathsome, even by Reform's standards.
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 05:47 PM
Jun 2024

But I do NOT want Badenoch as Prime Minister, or even Leader of the Opposition!

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»United Kingdom»Kemi Badenoch gets lucky:...