Henry Bolton’s election as UKIP’s new leader looks unlikely to signal any move away from the party’s focus on demonizing muslims and scapegoating migrants, anti-racists claimed today.
In a Q&A session posted on his campaign youtube channel, he states “I have fought Islam. I have been blown off my feet by an Islamic Suicide bomber.”
In the same speech he later said: “In some of our communities we have lost our British identity… We’ve got Islamic schools. I am with Ann-Marie on this issue”
Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up To Racism Co-Convenor said:
“Despite UKIP’s abysmal performance at the last election, we must remain vigilant. That the far-right Anne Marie Waters came as close as second and the new leader expressed agreement with her on the issue of Islam means this party’s toxic agenda must continue to be opposed”
Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism Co-Convenor said:
“UKIP is a racist populist party and this will not change. Henry Bolton claims to have “fought Islam” – It’s our job to show that we our proud of our multicultural society and UKIP will not succeed in reviving themselves by continuing to scapegoat Muslims and migrants.