Reform UK Leader Faces Backlash Over Controversial Comments on Ukraine Conflict

Nigel Farage has doubled down on his controversial assertion that the West, specifically NATO’s expansion, played a significant role in provoking Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite facing intense criticism from both the Prime Minister and Labour leader, Farage refuses to apologise for his comments.

Writing in The Telegraph, the leader of Reform UK stressed that he is not a supporter of Vladimir Putin but maintains that the West made “catastrophic errors” that led to the current crisis. Farage linked NATO’s eastward expansion and the European Union’s growth as major factors that contributed to the tensions with Russia, which ultimately led to the invasion.

During a recent interview on BBC Panorama, Farage stated, “We provoked this war,” explaining that Russia used NATO’s expansion as a reason to justify its aggression to the Russian people. He further added that he had been warning about this issue for over a decade, pointing to the events following the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 1990s as a turning point.

His remarks have been met with strong condemnation from political leaders. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labelled Farage’s statement as “completely wrong,” arguing that such rhetoric only emboldens Putin. Sunak expressed concern that Farage’s comments amounted to a form of appeasement, which could endanger both British and global security. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also criticised Farage’s words as “disgraceful” and reinforced that Russia is the aggressor in the war, emphasising the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

Other political figures have joined the chorus of criticism. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, rejected Farage’s perspective, while Scottish First Minister John Swinney accused him of betraying the nation’s interests. Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace dismissed Farage’s views as overly simplistic, likening him to someone with an unrealistic approach to international affairs.

Despite the backlash, Farage stands firm in his belief that the West’s policies, especially the expansion of NATO, provided Russia with a rationale for its invasion. He insists that while Russia’s actions are indefensible, the political establishment in the West must recognise their role in the unfolding crisis.

Cabinet minister and Labour leader face off on housing amid party controversies

On Thursday, Cabinet minister Michael Gove and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited construction sites, with both leaders attempting to discuss housing policies. However, their visits were overshadowed by separate controversies within their parties.

Gove was expected to highlight the Conservative Party’s housing agenda, but instead found himself responding to fresh turmoil surrounding allegations that members of his party had been betting on the date of the upcoming General Election. This controversy diverted attention away from his planned housing discussions.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer was forced to deny reports that a Labour party official had suggested that a future Labour government might “flatten the whole green belt” as part of its strategy to meet homebuilding targets. The suggestion quickly became a point of contention, requiring Starmer to clarify the party’s position on green spaces and housing development.

Despite these distractions, both leaders visited construction sites to highlight their commitment to addressing the UK’s housing crisis, although their messages were overshadowed by the ongoing political debates.

Former net zero tsar criticises PM for aligning with climate sceptics and undermining green

Chris Skidmore, the former Conservative minister and net zero tsar, has announced he will vote Labour for the first time, condemning Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his rollback of green policies and his decision to “side with climate deniers.” Skidmore, who resigned from his post in January over the government’s handling of new oil and gas licenses, has become the most senior Tory figure to publicly support Sir Keir Starmer’s party, adding pressure to Sunak’s leadership as he faces dwindling public support.

In a scathing critique, Skidmore accused Sunak of deliberately politicising the energy transition and using “extremist rhetoric” to frame net zero policies as burdensome. Skidmore’s remarks reflect a deep frustration with Sunak’s environmental agenda, which he claims is driven by “ignorance and deliberate misinformation.”

“The decision to side with climate deniers and politicise the energy transition is perhaps the greatest tragedy of his premiership,” Skidmore wrote in an article for The Guardian. He argued that Sunak’s stance not only harms the environment but also weakens the economy, suggesting it risks losing the UK a “great economic opportunity.”

Skidmore also expressed disillusionment with the Conservative Party’s stance on net zero, emphasising that the government’s recent manifesto, which includes plans to issue new oil and gas licenses, goes against the global trend of tackling climate change. He stated that the current rhetoric around net zero, framed as an imposition rather than an opportunity, has cost the Tories vital votes, including in his own constituency of Kingswood, where Labour won a by-election following his resignation.

Acknowledging the need for urgent action on the climate crisis, Skidmore declared his support for Labour, citing the party’s commitment to achieving net zero as one of its five key priorities. “I believe Labour is best placed to foster economic growth and drive the green industrial revolution,” he added, highlighting that net zero should be seen as a benefit, not a burden.

This marks a significant shift in Skidmore’s political allegiance, as he previously worked closely with the Conservative government to push for greener policies. His defection to Labour underscores the mounting frustration within the Conservative Party over its handling of climate and energy policies, which could have long-term consequences for its electoral prospects.