If local elections had landslides, Reform UK would have claimed one in 2025. Of the 1,641 seats contested, Nigel Farage’s party secured a staggering 677—over 41% of the total.
The Liberal Democrats came a distant second with 370 seats, gaining 163. By contrast, the traditional heavyweights suffered heavy losses: the Conservatives dropped 677 seats to end with 319, while Labour slumped to just 98—a loss of 189. In fact, the two main parties together claimed only a quarter of all seats, an unprecedented collapse in their combined share.
Reform UK won a vacant parliamentary seat, two mayoralties and control of several councils in early results from elections that its leader Nigel Farage said proved it was now the real opposition.
Notably, they won 49 out of 62 seats at Staffordshire County Council, a remarkable gain from zero seats in 2021, displacing the Conservative Party. In Doncaster, the party captured 37 out of 55 seats, flipping control from Labour. They also made a major gain in North Northamptonshire, where they won 39 seats, up from just 4, overtaking the Conservatives. Additionally, Reform UK claimed a majority with 57 seats at Kent County Council, ousting the Conservatives. In Hertfordshire, the party increased its representation to 14 seats, marking its first significant presence on the council.
Ward-level results underscore how dramatically voting patterns shifted in 2025, diverging sharply from previous local election trends. This vote was historic, not just for Reform’s success, but for what it signalled: a record level of political fragmentation and a clear rejection of the century-long dominance of Britain’s two major parties.
More importantly, these local election results have forced us to question the future of Britain’s multi-cultural identity. Notably, Farage’s party won councils such as Durham, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire, these areas, particularly in the East Midlands and North East, having substantial South Asian communities and concerns have been raised about the implications for these communities.
South Asian populations in the UK have faced challenges stemming from far-right rhetoric and policies. Nigel Farage has been a vocal critic of diversity and including practices and policies and it is difficult to understand how these councils welcomed the party to represent them. Are these areas suddenly moving towards the far-right ideology?
The increasing acceptance Farage has been getting has put to question, the future of Britain’s Multicultural identity.
How will a stronger Reform UK impact multiculturalism?
Britain has long embraced diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism as core values, reflected not only in policy but also in everyday life. From bilingual signs in English and Indian languages in local constituencies to increased representation in leadership, the country has made notable progress.
Multiculturalism enriches British society by fostering cultural exchange, tolerance, and innovation. In cities like Birmingham and Leicester, where ethnic minorities now form the majority, diversity is woven into daily life—from cuisine and language to festivals and friendships. This lived experience has fostered greater social acceptance over time. For example, public disapproval of mixed-race relationships has dropped dramatically—from 75% in 1958 to just 11% in 2020.
Political representation has also progressed. Today, fifty British Asians hold seats in Parliament, and having a South Asian Prime Minister, which was once unimaginable, is now part of British history. So why this support to a far-right party with a Trump fan for its leader?
As Sir John Curtice, a prominent political scientist puts it, “We’re experiencing this culture war not because attitudes have become more conservative, but precisely because they’ve become more liberal”. He further explained, “There is now debate over issues that previously weren’t contested. You shouldn’t necessarily interpret the rise of Reform as evidence of a shift towards social conservatism. Rather, it’s because as mainstream attitudes have grown more liberal, those at the more socially conservative end of the spectrum feel increasingly challenged.” This, Curtice suggests, has led to the politicisation of these issues, further intensifying the divide.
Sharing concern over the growing popularity of Reform UK and Nigel Farage, Ravishaan Rahel Muthiah, Director of Communications at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, expressed deep concerns, describing the rise of the party as a “terrifying moment” for the charity’s clients, many of whom come from around the world in search of safety and a new life in the UK. “There is a worrying shift to the far right, and this has a direct impact on our work and on our clients' lives,” he explained. Muthiah fears that this shift will lead to more targeted demonisation and the implementation of oppressive policies that could worsen the lives of vulnerable communities.
Muthiah also drew parallels between Farage’s stance on DEI and the policies of Donald Trump. He suggested that Farage was following a similar playbook, with rhetoric and policies aimed at undermining diversity and inclusion efforts. “It feels like an attempt to follow his path exactly, and I don’t believe that’s a direction most of us in this country want to go,” Muthiah said.
Muthiah went on to stress the importance of unity in the face of these growing threats. “We must push back against division and hatred, and instead push forward with hope, care, and solidarity for one another and our communities”, he said.
Dr Thom Oliver, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of the West of England, also weighed in on the impact of Reform UK’s rise. He noted that Farage’s critical stance on DEI initiatives and his scepticism of immigration’s cultural impact has already begun to influence public debate. “If this trend continues, we could see an attempted pushback of local and national policies designed to support multicultural integration and minority representation,” Oliver warned.
However, he also pointed out that while Reform UK has made gains in local elections, their current five MPs in Westminster are unlikely to bring about substantive change. Instead, he believes that the party will likely engage in performative politics to amplify its presence.
Has Political Correctness Fuelled the Rise of the Far Right?
One undeniable similarity between Nigel Farage and Donald Trump is their blunt and direct approach to communication. Upon returning to the White House, Trump swiftly dismantled federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Mirroring this strategy, Farage’s first directive after Reform UK’s local election surge was to instruct councillors to boycott mandatory DEI and climate change training. He claimed such measures were unnecessary, asserting that “all people should be treated equally.” While his position is controversial, it is at least consistent and openly stated.
By contrast, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has often opted for political caution over candour. In the wake of far-right protests, he stopped short of acknowledging that the Muslim community had been disproportionately targeted. When addressing grooming gangs, the government avoided specifying that many perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage, instead using the blanket term “Asian grooming gangs”—a generalisation that has drawn sharp criticism for misrepresenting entire communities.
This reluctance to be direct, while arguably rooted in a desire to avoid inflaming tensions, risks alienating both victims and minority groups who expect clarity and justice from leadership. Meanwhile, Labour has begun to mirror Reform UK’s hardline immigration stance—suggesting that the far-right narrative is shaping mainstream party policies. In a bid to hold on to wavering Conservative voters and curb Reform’s rise, Labour is doubling down on immigration cuts.
So where do voters turn if Labour disappoints? According to Sir Curtice, the disillusioned electorate is looking in many directions—but primarily toward Reform UK. “Reform’s support is still coming primarily from former Conservative voters,” he said. “They’re drawing a little from Labour, but the bulk are disillusioned Conservatives. Reform presents a direct challenge to the Tories.”
He added that Reform has effectively taken over the coalition of pro-Leave voters who backed Boris Johnson in 2019. “Their base is strongest in areas that supported Brexit. But this isn’t just about Brexit—it symbolises broader discontent: opposition to immigration, scepticism about equality policies, and a sense of pride in Britain’s past.”
Reform capitalises on this sentiment with clear messaging: opposing hotels for migrants, rejecting LGBT flags on public buildings, and criticising DEI policies. While that appeals to a significant slice of voters, Curtice argues it's still a niche—perhaps 30 to 40% of the electorate. The real test is whether Reform can grow beyond that base. So far, the answer remains uncertain.
Representation needs to move beyond tokenism
While opinions on multiculturalism differ, the ongoing debate highlights an important truth: in a rapidly changing world, open and honest discussions about identity, integration, and belonging are more vital than ever.
To lead that conversation, Asian Voice reached out to several industry stakeholders for their views.
Krishnendu Mukherjee, Barrister and Co-Chair of the Race Equality Working Group at Doughty Street Chambers, said, “The Bar has traditionally been white, male, and upper-middle-class. Since judges are mostly drawn from the Bar, the judiciary often fails to reflect the country’s diversity. This lack of representation affects key areas like criminal justice, child custody, and immigration.”
He stressed the need for inclusion and race training stating, “We’re raising awareness of systemic discrimination—both against Black barristers and those navigating the legal system. It’s about ensuring fair access to justice and recognising the lived realities of diverse communities.”
Reflecting on Britain’s progress, he said, “Laws against discrimination and the Human Rights Act mark real progress, but racism persists—and in some cases, is worsening. A British Asian Prime Minister doesn’t erase systemic bias. Many equally talented people are still overlooked due to skin colour.”
He added, “Black and Asian leaders inspire, but we must keep moving forward. When my father arrived, Asian doctors were sent where others wouldn’t go. Thirty years ago, Black barristers formed ‘ghetto chambers’ out of necessity. Progress exists, but it’s fragile—we can’t afford to go backwards.”
Hiten Mistry, Director of GEN Next and Natya Shakti, added, “If we’re still discussing the need for diversity and inclusion, something is broken. We need a decolonial approach to education and policy that includes all voices. Rishi Sunak’s appointment was historic, but without a public vote, it didn’t feel like true representation. The ongoing need for EDI training points to deeper structural flaws that demand meaningful reform.”
Asked about a possible reversal of EDI laws, he said, “I don’t think the UK will go that route. Our strong legal framework and democratic culture make rollbacks harder here than in the US. While politics can surprise us, Britain’s institutions and traditions provide stability and make dismantling EDI protections unlikely.”
