Nigel Farage vows ‘WAR’ as teachers told to educate children that Reform UK is ‘far-Right and racist’

Nigel Farage has vowed that Reform UK will “go to war against the teachers’ unions” after the National Education Union (NEU) proposed a motion to educate students about the “dangers” of supporting the party, which it labeled as “far-Right and racist.” The motion, set to be debated at the NEU’s conference next month, calls for teachers to challenge students attracted to “racist beliefs and far-Right activity” and develop anti-racist resources for schools. 

Reform UK has consistently denied being a far-Right organization, with the BBC even issuing an apology for labeling it as such in a report. Farage accused the NEU of spreading propaganda and indoctrinating students, stating, “When we are in a position to do so, we will go to war against the teachers’ unions.” 

Reform MP Lee Anderson also criticized the NEU, accusing it of “indoctrinating our youth, silencing free speech, and spreading hateful rhetoric.” He argued that the union has abandoned its duty of political neutrality. 

The motion comes as Reform UK’s popularity has surged, particularly among younger voters. A recent poll revealed that around 30% of 16- and 17-year-olds would vote for Reform if the voting age were lowered. School mock elections have also shown strong support for the party, with Reform winning around 20% of the vote in a nationwide mock election involving 70,000 students. 

However, some schools have been accused of downplaying or hiding the results of these mock elections when Reform emerged as the frontrunner. One student at an independent school in Bath claimed that their school initially publicized the mock election but went silent after Reform won, suggesting embarrassment over the outcome. 

The NEU’s motion has sparked a heated debate about the role of teachers in shaping students’ political views and the boundaries of political neutrality in education. Reform UK’s leadership has framed the issue as a battle against ideological indoctrination, while the NEU argues it is addressing the rise of far-Right rhetoric and racism. 

What do you think about the NEU’s motion and Reform UK’s response? Should teachers play a role in educating students about political extremism, or does this cross the line into indoctrination? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like and follow for more updates on this contentious issue.