'I got a death threat' Minority ethnic people standing for Reform UK

Minority ethnic people standing for Reform UK

- Chris Osuh

I've been assaulted, I regularly get verbal abuse, I got a death threat one time. But until the people come to their senses, I will stand," Raj Forhad, a Reform UK candidate, says.

The 43-year-old, who owns a software business, is part of a growing group in politics - British voters from minority ethnic backgrounds who campaign for Nigel Farage's party.

Recent research found Reform tends to poll best in areas with a large white population. Polling indicates the party, which is criticised by anti-racism campaigners, had a vote share of 3% among ethnic minority voters, compared with 16% among white voters.

However, the party fielded 17 candidates from ethnic minorities in the 2024 general election, and some insiders regard the ability to win over voters traditionally loyal to Labour - including black and Asian people in big cities - as "pivotal" to its growth.

The local elections on 1 May represent a milestone for Reform, which is also eyeing the Runcorn parliamentary byelection and mayoral elections on the same day.

But some party activists are already looking ahead to 2026, when London's local elections take place, eager to learn if they can turn values among ethnic minority communities - particularly regarding enterprise, education, family and faith - into votes.

"We're putting the same effort into bringing over true Labour voters as we did into bringing over Conservatives. London is the acid test," Neville Watson, Reform's only black chair, said.