Good afternoon everybody, I am sure that after recent events of Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States, there has knowingly been a vast switch in the views of Democratic to Republican parties. This has also been seen (similarly) in the United Kingdom in the change of popularity from left wing to right wing views.
One party in particular which has elevated in new acceptance is Reform UK. This right-wing populist political party stands up for British culture, identity and values. This has been increasingly favourable by young white men aged 18-24, Reform was voted the third most popular party alongside the Green party in the general election. Nigel Farage – a former Conservative Party member – has served as the party’s leader since June 2024. But why is it so welcomed by ‘Gen Z’ in which has been previously promoted and praised for their passion for change and activism?
One way in which they grasped the attention of youth was the fact that Reform UK was quick to engage with a younger audience on the social media platform ‘Tiktok’ – gaining a whopping 308,1000 followers, more than Labour with 233,1000 followers – who as we know won in the latest general election. Farage exclaimed due to such following on social media platforms that “something remarkable is happening with Gen Z” as the median age of an average Reform Uk supporter was 56, they now have 17% of men aged 18-24 voting. Whilst the Party was accepted by young men, it was the least popular party for Gen Z women, alongside the Tories. This knowingly isn’t a shock that women do not idolise Mr Farage after some of his undermining comments in the past as follows…
He defended Trump’s comment of “grab em by the pu**y” saying that men can say “dreadful things sometimes”. He has also vocalised that “If all of us were caught out on what we’ve said on a night out after a drink, none of us would be here!” this being of men as a whole – we know this is not the case that all men think like this and they shouldn’t all be categorised into one. Not only has he said such objectifying comments, he also has voiced that Women are paid less because they are simply “worth less”.
Additionally, Farage told Sky News that the misogynist influencer Andrew Tate was an “important voice for men” who skyrocketed social media with his ‘alpha male’ opinions and dangerous ascendancy on young minds, causing him to be banned from platforms such as; Facebook and YouTube. The parlous social media personality was accused of rape and human trafficking, Tate alongside his brother, Tristan, deny all charges. However, recent BBC documentary ‘Andrew Tate: The man who groomed the world?’ shares all comments and views, as such, talking of women as his ‘property’.
This can cause a growing concern for the future as underdeveloped minds champion the Reform Party leader who idolizes convicted criminals. Farage also appeared on ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ 2023 series, he scraped it at third place and I can’t help but notice he has a pattern of staying there in general, will he ever be able to make it first place, what do you think?