Lord Michael Heseltine has drawn parallels between the political party Reform and the fascist movements of the 1930s. In a speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, the former Deputy Prime Minister criticized what he called “dishonest” attacks on migrants and condemned Kemi Badenoch’s intentions to reverse climate legislation.
Heseltine cautioned against the rise of far-right groups in Europe and the US, singling out Nigel Farage’s party. He expressed concern that anti-asylum rhetoric fosters prejudice within communities. Additionally, he denounced Badenoch’s proposal to dismantle the Climate Change Act as an act of “unforgivable irresponsibility.”
The 92-year-old politician highlighted the resurgence of right-wing extremism globally, citing examples like Le Pen in France, AfD in Germany, Fdl in Italy, and Vox in Spain. He warned against the demonization of immigrants, emphasizing the importance of upholding humanitarian standards.
Heseltine underscored the urgency of addressing climate change, stressing the Conservative Party’s historical role in combating environmental challenges. He urged against reversing progress made in tackling the climate crisis, citing the tangible impacts such as storms, flooding, and desertification.
In his closing remarks, Heseltine reiterated the need to reject populist extremism and distanced himself from Nigel Farage’s rhetoric. He called for continued commitment to climate action and criticized any attempts to downplay the seriousness of global warming.