Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has declared that his party's mission is to "remoralise" young people, following significant gains in the recent local elections. Speaking to The Times, Yusuf expressed concern that the youth of Britain are being taught to "hate their country" and emphasized the need to change their moral outlook.
Yusuf explained, "There has been an industrial-scale demoralisation, particularly of young people in this country, who are basically being taught quite deliberately that they should hate their country; they should be deeply ashamed of their country's history; that the United Kingdom had a brutal empire." He believes that the narrative surrounding the British Empire has been overwhelmingly negative, stating, "Look, of course, you know, the British Empire was not perfect, but I actually think overall the British Empire did much more good for the world than it did bad." This perspective is part of a broader agenda to instill a sense of pride in British history among the younger generation.
As part of their remoralisation campaign, Yusuf announced that within a couple of months of gaining power, Reform UK would erect statues of notable British figures. He lamented the current state of historical representation, questioning, "How many young people know who Isambard Kingdom Brunel is?" He also highlighted the "character assassination" of historical figures like Sir Winston Churchill, whose statue in Parliament Square was covered during protests in 2020. "The fact that they have to cover up his statue because they don't want to provoke protesters. I mean that's the sort of utterly indefensible so-called leadership that we've had and young people feel that in their bones," Yusuf remarked.
Yusuf's comments come on the heels of Reform UK's impressive performance in the local elections, where the party picked up ten councils and over 600 seats. This surge has led to speculation about the party's potential success in upcoming general elections. Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the Conservative Party has been "hollowed out" and is experiencing a "strange death" due to the rise of Reform. He has called the recent elections a sign that the two-party system in the UK is "now dead," marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
In a column for The Telegraph, Farage stated, "We have reached a new political age," reinforcing the idea that traditional party politics is being disrupted by the emergence of parties like Reform UK. He suggested that the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, has not yet delivered the expected benefits to voters, as evidenced by the loss of what was considered a safe seat in the Runcorn & Helsby district to Reform candidate Sarah Pochin.
Yusuf and Farage's remarks reflect a broader strategy to attract younger voters who may feel disillusioned by current political narratives. Yusuf noted, "I think that a lot of young people we speak to feel very smothered by a finger-wagging sort of teaching class. They feel very restricted, they feel a huge lack of opportunity." He promised that the party would unveil more policies aimed specifically at young people, including those from Generation Z and millennials.
Farage's vision for Reform UK includes the establishment of a British equivalent of the Department of Government Efficiency, akin to the initiative led by Elon Musk in the United States, which aims to cut government spending. He has urged those involved in climate change and diversity initiatives to consider alternative career paths, indicating a significant shift in governmental priorities if Reform gains power.
Yusuf's assertion that the UK has a "profoundly impressive and decisively impactful history" further underscores the party's intention to reshape educational narratives. He criticized the lack of emphasis on British achievements compared to other nations, stating, "These things are not taught and embedded into British people in the way that they are in many other countries. Go to China, go to Russia, go to the United States of America … And so we’ve got to revive that … Ultimately what we’ve got to do is give young people a sense of belonging again."
The recent local elections have indeed shifted the dynamics of UK politics, with the Conservative Party losing over 600 councillors and all 15 councils it controlled prior to the election, marking one of the worst results in its history. In contrast, the Labour Party, which secured a general election victory in July 2024, has also faced challenges as it grapples with maintaining its dominance in Parliament, where it currently holds 403 seats compared to the Conservative Party's 121.
While the Reform Party has made significant gains, it still occupies a small fraction of the overall parliamentary seats, with only five members following the recent elections. However, the momentum from their local election success has raised questions about the future of the two-party system in the UK and the potential for Reform UK to become a major political force.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Yusuf's emphasis on remoralising the youth and fostering a renewed sense of national pride may resonate with a demographic that feels increasingly alienated from traditional political narratives. The party's approach to addressing these concerns will likely play a crucial role in shaping its future and the broader political discourse in the UK.
With Yusuf set to appear on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the party is poised to further articulate its vision for the future, aiming to capture the attention and support of a generation that is seeking change.
