Hannah Spencer, the Green Party MP for Gorton & Denton, made the accusation after Nigel Farage said he would ban all face coverings
Hannah Spencer MP accused Mr Farage of racism (Image: Getty)
Reform UK has been accused of racism by the Green Party after Nigel Farage announced he would ban the burka if he became Prime Minister. Newly elected MP for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer, made the accusation in response to the party calling for a ban of the religious item of clothing.
The ban came as part of a new policy from Mr Farage in which he said a Reform UK government would prohibit the wearing of all face coverings. Ms Spencer became the first Green Party MP to be elected in a by-election earlier this year where she defeated Labour and the Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin.
She told the Daily Express: “People are angry about not being able to afford to put their heating on, their food shop getting more expensive and seeing the unfairness of a broken immigration system that fails everyone within it.”
Ms Spencer added: “Telling women what they can and can’t wear won’t fix those things. But targeting Muslim women is what we’d expect from a racist party that has no actual plan to make life better for people.”
Earlier today Mr Farage has called for a “ban on all full-face coverings in public spaces” adding “and yes, that includes religious ones too.”
He added: “A free and open society depends fundamentally on trust. That trust is built on a simple, ancient social contract: I show you my face, you show me yours.
“When you strip that away, the entire fabric of public safety and mutual trust begins to fray. Face coverings create parallel societies, undermines integration and signals an outright rejection of British values.
“Our European neighbours clocked this long ago. Countries like France, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland have all implemented legislation banning full-face coverings in public places. Under a government led by me, Britain will join that list.”
Nigel Farage said he would ban the burka (Image: Getty)
Reform had previously wound back on calls to ban the burkha last year after one of their MPs, Sarah Pochin made the demand.
Zia Yusuf, a senior member of the party, resigned shortly after before being admitted back in just days later – with the party saying a ban was not Reform policy.
Reacting to the news today that the ban had been adopted Ms Pochin told this paper: “Full-face coverings have no place on Britain’s streets. I have been clear about that from the outset and fully support Nigel’s call for a ban.
“Whether it is a balaclava worn by a criminal, a mask used by violent extremists or a religious face covering, the principle is the same: people should be identifiable in public.”