Farage repeatedly accused of patronizing female journalists with dismissive remarks
Reform UK hired anti-abortion theologian James Orr as head of policy
Party pledged to repeal Equality Act on first day in government
Polling shows Reform UK voters skew heavily male but shifting slightly
Critics compare Farage's approach to Trump's misogynistic rhetoric
📖 Full Retelling
UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage faced renewed criticism this week after patronizing remarks to female journalists, including telling Financial Times reporter Anna Gross to 'write some silly story ... and we won't bother to read it,' amid his party's controversial policies on women's rights including promises to repeal the Equality Act and hiring a hardline anti-abortion theologian as head of policy. The incident, which provoked divided reactions with some calling it a 'masterclass' in dealing with mainstream media while others labeled it 'rude, dismissive, misogynistic, arrogant,' is part of a pattern of behavior that has drawn increasing scrutiny. When confronted about his treatment of Gross, Farage responded with 'Good,' indicating no remorse for what critics describe as a dismissive attitude toward female journalists.
Farage's treatment of female media figures extends beyond this recent incident, with previous encounters including telling former BBC Radio 4 presenter Mishal Husain 'Listen love, you're trying ever so hard' when questioned about potential consequences of shooting down Russian planes, and describing Telegraph journalist Camilla Tominey as playing a 'silly little game' when asking about potential cabinet appointments. These incidents come alongside substantive policy moves that have alarmed women's rights advocates, including the hiring of James Orr, a rightwing theologian who opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest or serious risk to health, and promises to repeal the Equality Act which provides women with extra workplace protections.
The controversy has sparked broader questions about Farage's relationship with women voters and his party's direction on gender issues. While Reform UK's voter base has historically skewed heavily male (61% in the last election), recent polling shows a slight shift to 55% male support, though Farage's alignment with Donald Trump remains a concern for many female voters. Labour leader Keir Starmer has described the plans to repeal the Equality Act as 'shocking' and 'unBritish,' while women's rights campaigners warn that Farage's rhetoric and policies represent a dangerous shift in British politics that delegitimizes discussions about gender inequality.
Right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom
Reform UK, often known simply as Reform, is a right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. It has eight members of Parliament in the House of Commons, two members of the London Assembly, one member of the Senedd, one member of the Scottish Parliament, one police and crime commissioner,...
Equality Act may refer to:
Equality Act 2006 (c. 3), an act of Parliament of the United Kingdom, which established the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Equality Act 2010 (c.
Nigel Paul Farage (born 3 April 1964) is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Clacton and Leader of Reform UK since 2024, having previously been its leader from 2019 to 2021. He was the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2006 to 2009 and 2010 to 2016. Fara...
Misogyny () is hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism that can keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the social roles of patriarchy. Misogyny has been widely practised for thousands of years.
Media relations involves working with media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner. It can also entail developing symbiotic relationships with media outlets, journalists, bloggers, and influencers to ...
The incident highlights a growing trend of dismissive attitudes towards women in UK politics, mirroring US rhetoric. It raises concerns about the protection of women's rights and the integrity of media scrutiny.
Context & Background
Farage's dismissive remarks towards female journalists
Hiring of anti-abortion theologian James Orr
Calls to repeal the Equality Act
Growing backlash from women's rights groups
Polling shows a shift in women voters' support
What Happens Next
Reform UK may face intensified scrutiny from media and opposition parties, potentially leading to policy adjustments or internal reforms. The party's standing among female voters could be further impacted, influencing upcoming elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Equality Act?
UK law that protects against discrimination in the workplace and public services, including gender discrimination.
Who is James Orr?
A right-wing theologian known for opposing abortion, now head of policy for Reform UK.
How has Farage responded to criticism?
He claims to treat all journalists equally and defends his remarks as a two-way street of scrutiny.
What could be the political consequences?
Potential loss of support among women voters and increased pressure from left-wing parties to address misogynistic rhetoric.
Original Source
Analysis Does Nigel Farage have a problem with women? Alexandra Topping Critics say Reform leader’s patronising rhetoric is part of worrying trend. He says scrutiny is a two way street. When Nigel Farage told a journalist this week she should “write some silly story … and we won’t bother to read it”, it provoked an instant – and divided – reaction. For some it was a “masterclass” in dealing with mainstream media, but for others it was “rude, dismissive, misogynistic, arrogant”. Behind the scenes, Farage’s treatment of the Financial Times’s Anna Gross – which was met with mirth and applause among Reform diehards in the room – provoked disquiet and anger among lobby journalists across the political spectrum. As the Reform UK leader was leaving the event, a Guardian political reporter suggested he had been rude and had upset the journalist. “Good,” Farage responded. It is not the first time Farage has been accused of patronising a female journalist. When the former BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Mishal Husain asked him about the potential consequences of shooting down Russian planes last October, Farage responded: “Listen love, you’re trying ever so hard.” A month later he accused the Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey of playing a “silly little game” when she asked who his chancellor would be. Amid a busy news cycle, his most recent condescension could have been easily forgotten. But in a week where Farage hired a hardline anti-abortion theologian as his head of policy and promised to repeal the Equality Act on his party’s first day in government, it has sparked the question: does Reform UK, and its leader in particular, have a women problem? Jane Martinson, the former chair of Women in Journalism, said the run-ins with female journalists were a clear example of Donald Trump’s influence. “Nigel Farage is really offering a sort of Trump-lite for the British people, patronising a respected journalist and newspaper because he disagrees with its scrutiny,” she said. “This is all ab...
