Reform UK Candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood Disowns Party Amid Allegations of Racism and Sexism: A Significant Blow to Credibility

Booth-Isherwood's decision to disown the party is a significant blow to its credibility.
Labour is holding a significant lead in polls with just a few days left until the general election.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, had previously stated that only 'a few bad apples' were left in the party and they would never be welcomed back.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insists that the UK is in a better place now than it was in 2010, attributing recent economic difficulties to the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing war in Ukraine.
Reform UK candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood has disowned his party following reports of racism and sexism within the organization.
Sunak defends his party's record since 2010, claiming Britain has become a better place to live despite challenges such as the pandemic and war.
Reform UK Candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood Disowns Party Amid Allegations of Racism and Sexism: A Significant Blow to Credibility

In a dramatic turn of events, the Reform UK candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood has disowned his party following reports of widespread racism and sexism within the organization. This comes as a shock to many, as Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, had previously stated that only “a few bad apples” been left in the party and they would never be welcomed back. Booth-Isherwood's decision to disown the party is a significant blow to its credibility and raises questions about its future. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insists that the UK is in a better place now than it was in 2010, attributing the country's recent economic difficulties to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Sunak defends his party's record since 2010, claiming that despite challenges such as the pandemic and war, Britain has become a better place to live. However, with just a few days left until the general election, Sunak faces an uphill battle to retain power as polls show Labour holding a significant lead. The Conservative Party has struggled to gain traction throughout the campaign, and it remains to be seen if they can turn things around in the final stretch.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Have there been any independent investigations into the reports of racism and sexism within Reform UK?
  • What specific instances of racism and sexism have been reported within the party?

Sources

85%

  • Unique Points
    • Rishi Sunak insists UK is a better place to live now than in 2010
    • Sunak defends Brexit, arguing it has changed UK’s trading relations and enabled government to cut red tape for businesses
    • UK played role in supporting Ukraine
  • Accuracy
    • Britain is better off than it was in 2010, according to Rishi Sunak.
    • People are queuing up to work with the UK because they respect it, according to Sunak.
  • Deception (70%)
    The author makes editorializing statements and uses selective reporting. She quotes the prime minister making assertions about the UK being a better place to live now than in 2010 and defends Brexit without providing any evidence or peer-reviewed studies to back up these claims. The author also quotes Labour's election coordinator, Pat McFadden, criticizing the Conservatives but does not provide any counterevidence or peer-reviewed studies to support his claims. The author selectively reports on certain aspects of the interview without providing a complete and accurate representation of what was said.
    • Labour said prices in shops, NHS waiting lists and mortgages had risen under the Conservatives and that it was ‘excruciating to watch Rishi Sunak just gloss over the concerns of ordinary working people.’
    • The prime minister said the UK is a better place to live now than in 2010, when the Conservatives came into government.
    • Mr Sunak rejected a ‘declinist narrative’ and defended Brexit saying it was ‘utterly wrong’ to suggest the UK had lost its standing in the world since leaving the EU.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes several appeals to authority when quoting statements from Rishi Sunak and Pat McFadden. She also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Labour's criticism of the Conservatives as 'excruciating to watch'. However, no formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions were found.
    • Labour said prices in shops, NHS waiting lists and mortgages had risen under the Conservatives and that it was ‘excruciating to watch Rishi Sunak just gloss over the concerns of ordinary working people’
    • He said Mr Hester had apologised and been ‘genuinely contrite’ whereas the Reform canvasser Andrew Parker had shown no remorse.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

74%

  • Unique Points
    • Rishi Sunak expressed pride in supporting Brexit and cutting red tape to help British exports.
    • Rishi Sunak claimed there is a deep, bilateral free trade agreement with the European Union.
  • Accuracy
    • Rishi Sunak insists UK is a better place to live now than in 2010
    • Rishi Sunak believes he will win the general election.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author makes several assertions without providing evidence to support them. For example, Sunak claims 'Britain is better off than it was in 2010.' However, the article later mentions figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies showing that each person is on average £10,900 worse off since 2010. This contradicts Sunak's claim and demonstrates a lack of accuracy or truthfulness in his statement. Additionally, Sunak asserts 'It's been difficult but we are now on the right track with the prospect of more tax cuts to come.' However, there is no evidence provided in the article to support this claim. These examples demonstrate selective reporting and editorializing by the author.
    • Britain is better off than it was in 2010.
    • We are now on the right track with the prospect of more tax cuts to come.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by stating that 'People are queuing up to work with us because they respect what we do.' This is a fallacy as it does not provide any evidence or reasoning for why this is the case.
    • ]People are queuing up to work with us because they respect what we do.[/
  • Bias (90%)
    The author, Kiran Stacey, presents a biased perspective by repeatedly emphasizing the achievements of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak's leadership and downplaying the economic challenges faced by the country since 2010. She quotes Sunak making positive statements about his party's record and dismisses concerns from voters with minimal engagement.
    • Britain is better off than it was 14 years ago, Rishi Sunak has said, as he launched a combative defence of his party’s record in power with just four days to go until the election.
      • He added: ‘It’s been difficult but we are now on the right track with the prospect of more tax cuts to come to give people more financial security and that’s the key choice for people at this election, building on the progress that we’ve made.’
        • Sunak replied: ‘Of course, it’s been very difficult when inflation rises to the highest level that we’ve seen in decades, when energy bills double because of the war in Ukraine, of course that has an impact on Sheila and everyone else, and that’s why I’m working so hard to deliver people financial security.’
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        98%

        • Unique Points
          • Reform UK candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood has disowned the party due to reports of widespread racism and sexism.
          • Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, stated that ‘a few bad apples’ have been removed from the party and they will never be welcomed back.
        • Accuracy
          • Reform Party and Nigel Farage deny awareness of canvasser’s personal views on immigration
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        71%

        • Unique Points
          • Rishi Sunak expressed pride in his election campaign despite its disastrous outcome.
          • Rishi Sunak believes he will win the general election.
        • Accuracy
          • Rishi Sunak claimed there is a deep, bilateral free trade agreement with the European Union.
        • Deception (30%)
          The author makes editorializing statements by expressing her opinion about the disastrous election campaign of Rishi Sunak and his claims of winning the election. She also uses emotional manipulation by implying that a Labour government would be dangerous for the country.
          • But as the Tory blame game escalated before even a vote is cast former cabinet minister John Redwood accused Mr Sunak of helping to deliver a large Labour majority.
          • In a small crumb of good news for Mr Sunak, however, the Reform candidate in Erewash Liam Booth-Isherwood defected to back the Conservatives.
          • He also claimed there was ‘a clear difference’ between his handling of the racism row surrounding Tory donor Frank Hester and how Nigel Farage responded to racist comments made about the PM by a Reform UK canvasser.
          • Rishi Sunak has said he is ‘proud’ of his disastrous election campaign and claims he will win Thursday’s general election.
          • He also said he believes he will win the election.
        • Fallacies (75%)
          The article contains several instances of logical fallacies. The author, Kate Devlin, uses dichotomous depictions and appeals to authority in her analysis. Additionally, there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric.
          • Rishi Sunak has said he is 'proud' of his disastrous election campaign
          • Mr Sunak told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg ‘this campaign is something I am very proud of’
          • He also said he believes he will win the election.
          • But as the Tory blame game escalated before even a vote is cast former cabinet minister John Redwood accused Mr Sunak of helping to deliver large Labour majority.
          • In a small crumb of good news for Mr Sunak, however, the Reform candidate in Erewash Liam Booth-Isherwood defected to back the Conservatives.
        • Bias (80%)
          The author expresses a clear bias against Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party throughout the article. She uses language such as 'disastrous election campaign' and 'calamities' to describe Sunak's campaign, implying that it is failing or has been a mistake. The author also quotes John Redwood accusing Mr Sunak of helping to deliver a large Labour majority, which could be seen as an attempt to further discredit Sunak. Additionally, the author highlights comments from viewers expressing concerns about issues such as taxes and having the basics, which could be interpreted as criticizing Sunak's handling of these issues. The author also compares Sunak's handling of a racism row involving a Tory donor to Nigel Farage's response, implying that Sunak was not sufficiently contrite or remorseful in the situation.
          • But as the Tory blame game escalated before even a vote is cast former cabinet minister John Redwood accused Mr Sunak of helping to deliver large Labour majority.
            • He also claimed there was ‘a clear difference’ between his handling of the racism row surrounding Tory donor Frank Hester and how Nigel Farage responded to racist comments made about the PM by a Reform UK canvasser.
              • He also said he believes he will win the election. Asked whether he thought he would still be prime minister on Friday, he said: ‘Yes. I’m fighting very hard and I think people are waking up to the real danger of what a Labour government means.’
                • Rishi Sunak has come under fire in recent weeks for a series of calamities that included a rain-soaked announcement of polling day, leaving D-Day commemorations early and a gambling scandal.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                77%

                • Unique Points
                  • A Labour government may make Britain the ‘soft touch migrant capital of the world’ with ‘open borders’ and an ‘illegal migrant amnesty.’
                  • Labour plans to impose VAT on private school fees, which could throw thousands of families’ plans for the autumn term into chaos.
                  • Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron suggests that a Labour government would be a threat to national security.
                  • If elected, Labour plans to ramp up housebuilding ‘on day one’ and make at least three housing announcements within the first fortnight.
                • Accuracy
                  • Rishi Sunak claims that a Labour government would cause 'irreversible damage' within the first 100 days of coming to power.
                  • A Labour government may make Britain the 'soft touch migrant capital of the world' with 'open borders' and an 'illegal migrant amnesty.'
                • Deception (30%)
                  The article contains several instances of emotional manipulation and sensationalism. Rishi Sunak's statements about Labour causing 'irreversible damage within just 100 days' and making Britain the 'soft touch migrant capital of the world' are examples of emotional manipulation as they aim to elicit strong negative emotions from readers. The article also uses sensational language such as 'thrown into chaos' and 'open borders', which exaggerates the situation for effect. Additionally, there is selective reporting, as only Labour's proposed policies that can be presented negatively are mentioned.
                  • And he also claimed that Labour would make Britain the "soft touch migrant capital of the world" with "open borders" and an œillegal migrant amnestyŴ.
                  • Rishi Sunak is today saying that Labour would cause "irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power",
                  • Mr Sunak said that Labour's plans to impose VAT on private school fees would risk "throwing thousands of families' plans for the autumn term into chaos, with children wondering if they will have a desk at school to go back to".
                  • They cannot be trusted. We must not surrender our taxes, our borders and our security to them.
                  • The Conservative Party is continuing its warning that a Labour government would see taxes rise, and the prime minister is arguing electing Sir Keir would do "irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power".
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The author uses several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to fear. He states that a Labour government would cause 'irreversible damage' within 100 days and make Britain the 'soft touch migrant capital of the world'. These statements are not based on facts but rather an attempt to evoke negative emotions in the reader. The author also uses loaded language such as 'hopelessly naive about the dangerous world in which we're living' and 'another liberal leftie lawyer running the country'. These statements are not arguments or evidence, but rather attempts to discredit Sir Keir Starmer based on his profession and political ideology. The author also uses a false dichotomy by implying that only the Conservatives can deliver tax cuts, a growing economy, and security. This is not true as other parties may also have policies that address these issues.
                  • Labour would cause 'irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power'
                  • They cannot be trusted. We must not surrender our taxes, our borders and our security to them.
                  • The last thing we need in Britain now is another liberal leftie lawyer running the country.
                  • Britain will remain stuck in their low-growth, high-tax, declining public services doom-loop.
                • Bias (85%)
                  The article contains several examples of political bias. The author, Ben Bloch, seems to lean towards the Conservative Party's perspective by highlighting their claims that a Labour government would cause 'irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power' and would 'throw thousands of families’ plans for the autumn term into chaos'. The author also quotes Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who suggests that a Labour government would be a threat to national security. Additionally, the article includes statements from Rishi Sunak attacking the Labour Party's policies on taxes and immigration. These examples demonstrate a clear bias towards the Conservative Party.
                  • Labour would cause 'irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power' in power, Rishi Sunak claims
                    • Rishi Sunak attacks Labour's policies on taxes and immigration.
                      • The author quotes Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron suggesting that a Labour government would be a threat to national security.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication