Nigel Farage has been urged by the Liberal Democrats to appear before Members of Parliament to address Reform UK’s ban on local newspapers, rather than traveling to Washington to discuss “free speech” before the US Congress.
Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is set to be absent from Westminster during the initial two days after MPs reconvene from their Summer recess, opting instead to advocate against migrants and challenge Britain’s regulations on online safety and anti-hate speech laws in Washington.
While Farage is in the US criticizing Britain to associates of Donald Trump, Max Wilkinson, the Lib Dems’ culture spokesperson, intends to reach out to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, urging an investigation into the controversy surrounding Reform UK’s actions in the UK.
The party faced criticism for labeling Nottinghamshire Live journalists as “activists” incorrectly, resulting in accusations of “childish behavior.” In a move reminiscent of Donald Trump, Reform’s council leader at Nottingham County Council prohibited Nottinghamshire Live/Post reporters and the local democracy reporting service from accessing the party’s press releases and conducting interviews with him or the 40 elected Reform councillors in the region.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Farage’s decision to prioritize his US trip over parliamentary duties, Wilkinson stated that instead of spreading misinformation about UK free speech to the US Congress, Farage should be providing testimony to the UK Parliament regarding his party’s suppression of free speech by restricting Reform members from engaging with the media.
Farage is scheduled to discuss “mass deportations” at the National Conservatism conference in Washington and testify on “free speech” before Congress. Vice President JD Vance, who met Farage during his recent UK visit, has frequently criticized the UK’s laws aimed at combatting harassment, online exploitation, and racial violence as infringements on “freedom of speech.”
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Farage is also expected to defend Lucy Connolly, who was convicted of inciting racial hatred by advocating for setting fire to migrant hotels on Twitter. Farage emphasized Connolly’s situation as a central point of his upcoming discussions. Since taking office, Farage has participated in only 91 parliamentary votes, fewer than several other prominent MPs.
He was absent for crucial votes on issues such as planning reform, renters’ rights, and the winter fuel allowance, often traveling to the US while Parliament was in session. Farage has made numerous foreign trips, with at least nine journeys abroad, predominantly to the US.
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