Reform UK MP Lee Anderson erupted in the House of Commons after discovering that a school in his Ashfield constituency had displayed his photo alongside Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini on a board about “extreme right” politics.
Students at Connell Academy produced a wall display featuring the phrases “extreme right-wing parties,” “Nazi Party,” and “fascism,” accompanied by images of infamous dictators – and, controversially, pictures of both Anderson and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
🔥 Anderson raises issue in Commons
Speaking during Commons questions, Anderson told MPs:
“Students at Connell Academy in Ashfield are currently studying politics. And on their display board, they have the words ‘extreme right-wing parties,’ ‘Nazi Party,’ and ‘fascism.’ And at the side of these words, they have pictures of Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, the honourable member for Clacton and myself. Does the Minister think this should be on the curriculum?”
Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould responded:
“We have strict rules around political impartiality within our education system. We are very clear about those rules and all schools should apply them.”
📱 Anderson blasts the school online
Sharing the clip on social media, Anderson wrote:
“Children are being radicalised. Something shocking has happened at a school in Ashfield. It’s an insult to millions of British people. Today, I raised this issue in the House. Only Reform UK will end this madness.”
🏫 Other schools accused of similar comparisons
This isn’t the first time teaching materials have compared Reform UK to far-right ideology.
Last month it emerged that pupils in eight Orion Education academies across London and Kent were shown resources placing the Reform UK logo at the “fascism” end of a political spectrum – below the BNP and next to Nazi imagery.
The materials also suggested that Reform UK supporters include individuals with “extremist views,” while Labour and the Conservatives were labelled “mainstream.”
Another slide focusing on “extremism” highlighted deputy leader Richard Tice, with a stated aim:
“To understand the views of Reform UK and how they have influenced far-right and extreme views.”
Students were also taught that the flag of St George has been criticised as a “provocative and exclusionary symbol used by far-right groups.”
🗳️ Criticism and political fallout
The leak of these materials follows increasing criticism of Reform UK from left-leaning figures.
In April, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede claimed there are “an awful lot of racists who are getting involved in Reform.”
Nigel Farage later warned that teachers could “go on strike” if he became Prime Minister.
You may also like: Watch: Car-crash moment as Reeves forced to watch her own words back
Leave a Reply