The individual representing the Conservative party in the mayoral election for Greater Manchester has switched to join the right-wing Reform UK party led by Richard Tice.
Just three months ago, Dan Barker was chosen as the Conservative candidate to run against the current mayor, Labour’s Andy Burnham, in the upcoming May elections.
On Thursday, he announced his decision to join Reform UK, making him the second member of the Conservative party to join the emerging populist party following Lee Anderson’s switch earlier in March.
On X, Barker shared that Reform UK is the political party that represents the general population, stating, “I am pleased to be a part of the new hub for conservative ideals with Reform UK. The party stands for the ordinary citizens of our nation.”
A representative from Reform expressed their joy at the addition of Dan Barker to their team. They believe he is a highly qualified candidate and will serve as a strong advocate for both Reform and Manchester.
“If you have hope for the future of this city and country, then Reform is what lies ahead, while the Tories represent the past.”
The deadline for the Conservatives to choose a new candidate for the upcoming mayoral elections is April 5th. The elections will be held on May 2nd.
Even though it was unlikely for Barker to win, his departure is a significant setback for Rishi Sunak as he attempts to maintain a united front for the Conservative party in the upcoming local and mayoral elections.
On Wednesday evening, the prime minister spoke to his Members of Parliament in Westminster, emphasizing the importance of ending internal conflicts and promoting the government’s achievements. A significant number of MPs were present, visually displaying unity.
The Conservatives are facing a growing threat from Reform as the general election approaches. Although it is not expected that the party formed by Nigel Farage will win more than a couple of seats, their choice to run a candidate in every constituency outside of Northern Ireland, unlike in 2019, could have a significant effect.
A recent YouGov survey released on Thursday revealed that Reform Party has garnered 15% of the national support, placing them only four points behind the Conservatives and ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
In March, Anderson became the Reform party’s inaugural Member of Parliament after his departure from the Conservative party due to the revocation of his Tory whip for remarks regarding Sadiq Khan.
In the span of 24 hours, Reform UK has removed another candidate for the upcoming general election due to racist remarks on their social media platform. Additionally, the party is currently investigating allegations regarding a third candidate.
The political party announced that Roger Hoe, a businessman from Yorkshire, was taken off the ballot as the candidate for Cottingham on Thursday. This was in response to the discovery that an account under his name on X had posted content expressing support for the far-right activist, Tommy Robinson.
Following the emergence of a series of discriminatory remarks on her social media page, including statements advocating for the expulsion of Black British-born public figures, Ginny H Ball was removed as Reform’s candidate for the general election in Rutland and Stamford.
The party is also investigating claims put forward on Thursday by the counter-extremism group Hope not Hate that another candidate, Benjamin “Beau” Dade, Reform’s candidate for Swindon South, is a rightwing influencer who has fantasised about deporting “millions” of British citizens to “rid itself of the foreign plague we have been diseased with”.
According to a representative from Reform UK speaking to the Guardian, it is evident that our screening procedure is now being carried out in the open and all individuals are undergoing a second evaluation.
The Conservative party has been reached out to for their response.
Source: theguardian.com
