The selection of academic-turned-politician Matt Goodwin as the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election has hit the headlines as voters get ready to hit the polls.
Since joining Reform, Goodwin has frequently espoused race based theories of nationality, positing whiteness as a fundamental precursor for Britishness. This was laid bare following the knife attack on a train from Doncaster to London, which Goodwin blamed on mass immigration despite the perpetrator being British born. Defending his claim, he asserted that “it takes more than a piece of paper to make someone British.”
Polling numbers alone tell a frightening story, one which sees one of Britain’s most diverse and multicultural cities plunged into a by-election race fought over culture and identity. Current polls average Reform at 30.6 per cent, with the incumbent Labour party flagging behind at 28 per cent and the Greens at 21.7 per cent. Goodwin’s polling success suggests that his transition from the dog whistle racism of mainstream Reform to more outspoken ethnonationalism is far from a deal breaker for the constituents of Gorton and Denton. Although Labour and the Greens would hope to target some of Goodwin’s more unsavoury (to put it lightly) comments, the apparent willingness of the constituency to support the man who defines citizenship by race speaks to a dangerous erosion of standards for Parliamentary candidates.
Goodwin’s intellectual credibility combined with his media presence as a GB News presenter may also prove to be valuable for the growing party. As Reform shifts from fringe party to viable political alternative, Goodwin’s history of academic research on areas susceptible to far right rhetoric may ironically embolden Reform in their fight to target particular demographic sectors that feel left behind by decades of establishment politics. Reform’s voter base is one that believes in mainstream politics’ inability to confront debates about immigration and identity head on. In the face of growing distrust of legacy parties, Goodwin’s rigid stances represent to many voters a refreshing clarity.
His speech and rhetoric may shock the moderate or left leaning voter, but they are a natural outgrowth of the narrative that lies at the heart of Reform’s push for power, and speaks to the presence of an audience that values blunt communication over typical Westminster style equivocation. For a party that positions itself outside of the established lines of politics, Goodwin’s controversy is not a hindrance, but a demonstration of Reform’s commitment to uncompromising ideology over broad appeal.
Ultimately, when it comes to Reform’s mission, Matt Goodwin says the quiet part out loud, and for those inclined to back Reform, this is honesty in the face of a changing political landscape.
“Jon Cruddas MP and Dr Matthew Goodwin (6172118151)” by Chatham House is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Related
Matt Goodwin says the Quiet Part of Reform’s Platform Out Loud
The selection of academic-turned-politician Matt Goodwin as the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election has hit the headlines as voters get ready to hit the polls.
Since joining Reform, Goodwin has frequently espoused race based theories of nationality, positing whiteness as a fundamental precursor for Britishness. This was laid bare following the knife attack on a train from Doncaster to London, which Goodwin blamed on mass immigration despite the perpetrator being British born. Defending his claim, he asserted that “it takes more than a piece of paper to make someone British.”
Polling numbers alone tell a frightening story, one which sees one of Britain’s most diverse and multicultural cities plunged into a by-election race fought over culture and identity. Current polls average Reform at 30.6 per cent, with the incumbent Labour party flagging behind at 28 per cent and the Greens at 21.7 per cent. Goodwin’s polling success suggests that his transition from the dog whistle racism of mainstream Reform to more outspoken ethnonationalism is far from a deal breaker for the constituents of Gorton and Denton. Although Labour and the Greens would hope to target some of Goodwin’s more unsavoury (to put it lightly) comments, the apparent willingness of the constituency to support the man who defines citizenship by race speaks to a dangerous erosion of standards for Parliamentary candidates.
Goodwin’s intellectual credibility combined with his media presence as a GB News presenter may also prove to be valuable for the growing party. As Reform shifts from fringe party to viable political alternative, Goodwin’s history of academic research on areas susceptible to far right rhetoric may ironically embolden Reform in their fight to target particular demographic sectors that feel left behind by decades of establishment politics. Reform’s voter base is one that believes in mainstream politics’ inability to confront debates about immigration and identity head on. In the face of growing distrust of legacy parties, Goodwin’s rigid stances represent to many voters a refreshing clarity.
His speech and rhetoric may shock the moderate or left leaning voter, but they are a natural outgrowth of the narrative that lies at the heart of Reform’s push for power, and speaks to the presence of an audience that values blunt communication over typical Westminster style equivocation. For a party that positions itself outside of the established lines of politics, Goodwin’s controversy is not a hindrance, but a demonstration of Reform’s commitment to uncompromising ideology over broad appeal.
Ultimately, when it comes to Reform’s mission, Matt Goodwin says the quiet part out loud, and for those inclined to back Reform, this is honesty in the face of a changing political landscape.
“Jon Cruddas MP and Dr Matthew Goodwin (6172118151)” by Chatham House is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Share this:
Like this:
Related