Former Reform deputy leader Ben Habib told Islanders at Wootton Bridge that democracy is under threat from ‘globalists’ during a meeting of new party Advance UK.
The event, held at Wootton Bridge Community Centre on Saturday (18th October), was hosted by Sarah Morris, who stood as Reform UK’s parliamentary candidate for the Isle of Wight at the 2024 general election. Guest speakers included Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK and former Reform candidate for London Mayor, and Ben Habib, founder and leader of Advance UK.
Habib, who quit Reform UK in November 2024 following a dispute with Nigel Farage, was the main speaker at the meeting, which drew an audience of over 100.
Independent Socialist Councillor Geoff Brodie had branded the event’s politics “abhorrent” ahead of the meeting.
Rejecting claims that Advance UK represented the “far right”, Habib said the real divide in politics was now between globalists and democrats.
“The split in politics is not between left and right. It’s between globalists and those that believe in democracy.”
He accused both major parties of betraying the public.
“They hold us in contempt – they hold our culture in contempt.”
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A strong supporter of Brexit, Habib said the UK had not yet fully left the EU.
“We haven’t Brexited as long as there’s a border in the Irish Sea.”
He said Britain was constitutionally a Christian country and that this should be recognised, adding that freedom of speech was under threat from excessive policing of online posts.
“Britain was great because of freedom of expression – the freedom to insult and be insulted. You can’t advance as a society without freedom of speech.”
Habib also claimed that DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies discriminated against white men and warned that the Falklands could be handed over by a future government.
“White males are now the most discriminated against group in the country.”
Responding to concerns about dividing the right-wing vote, Habib said Advance UK would not enable Labour to take power.
“Advance will do nothing to allow Labour and its ilk to govern. We shall do what’s necessary for the country.”
He promised sweeping change if his party gained power.
“There would be shock and awe on day one. We’ve got a long job to get Britain back to what it was – a bastion of prosperity and safety.”
Howard Cox echoed calls for lower fuel duty, describing government environmental policies as “anti-driver” and “economically suicidal”.
Speaking exclusively to Island Echo after the meeting, Habib said it was his second visit to the Island.
“It seems caught in time from 30 or 40 years ago – that’s its charm.”
He said Advance was unlikely to contest next year’s local elections but would stand candidates in the next general election, pledging to tackle “rip-off” ferry fares through cuts in fuel duty.
Asked about a fixed link, he admitted he had “not yet thought through” whether it would benefit the Island.
Complains about being called right wing, then says theres a lack of free speech followed by the most right wing nonsense ever… i fear for anyone that takes this party seriously
Luckily they will split the Reform vote and hopefully suck in more Tories. Can’t be all bad.
I have lost faith in British politics
J.S
Yalla habibi.
Just when you thought nothing could be worse than Reform, with its lies and populist nonsense, we get the Reform rejects hawking their own version.