Reform UK has announced its intention to immediately repeal the recently enacted Online Safety Act (OSA), with party leaders characterizing the legislation as "borderline dystopian" and a significant threat to free speech. This firm stance positions the party as a leading critic of the new online regulations, which aim to protect internet users from harmful content. The party's focus on this issue, alongside its prominent immigration policies, has drawn commentary regarding its broader political strategy.
Nigel Farage and former party chairman Zia Yusuf have argued that the OSA, despite its stated aim of protecting children, instead works to "suppress freedom of speech" and "force social media companies to censor anti-government speech." Yusuf stated the Act does "absolutely nothing to protect children" and is an "assault on freedom." While acknowledging they do not yet have a "perfect answer" for a replacement, Farage asserted Reform UK has access to "some of the best tech brains" to devise a superior alternative.
The Online Safety Act, which recently came into force, imposes a duty of care on online platforms to address illegal content and content harmful to children, with significant fines for non-compliance. Proponents, including the Labour government, argue the Act is vital for safeguarding online users, particularly the young. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has defended the legislation, asserting it does not compromise free speech and is essential for preventing online harm.
Central to Reform UK's political platform is its hardline stance on immigration, which the party frequently links to various societal challenges. The party pledges to freeze "non-essential" immigration, deport illegal immigrants, and implement stricter controls on legal migration. Reform UK leaders often attribute issues such as housing shortages, pressure on public services like the NHS, and stagnant wages to what they term "uncontrolled mass immigration." This focus has resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, making immigration a cornerstone of their appeal.
Commentator Louis Anslow, in a recent tweet, observed that Reform UK's ability to challenge the Online Safety Act stems partly from their distinct political narrative. Anslow stated, > "One reason Reform can attack the Online Safety Act is because they don’t need Big Tech as a scapegoat (they have immigrants)." This perspective suggests that by prioritizing immigration as a central issue and a source of national challenges, Reform UK establishes a different target for public concern compared to parties that might focus more heavily on the power of technology companies.
The contrasting approaches to the Online Safety Act and the prominence of immigration in Reform UK's agenda highlight a divergence in political priorities and perceived societal threats among UK parties. While mainstream parties navigate the complexities of online regulation and digital harms, Reform UK continues to champion a platform centered on border control and reduced migration. This strategic positioning underscores the party's effort to carve out a unique space in the British political landscape, appealing to voters concerned with national identity and perceived overreach of state powers.