A Reform candidate has suspended her campaign and defected to the Tories, saying the “vast majority” of others standing for Nigel Farage’s party are “racist, misogynistic, and bigoted”.
Georgie David, who was the candidate for West Ham and Beckton, is the second person to jump ship amid allegations of racism within the ranks of Reform UK.
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In a statement issued by the Tories, she said she does not think the party and its senior leadership are racist – but claimed that many of the candidates standing to represent it are.
Announcing her decision to quit she said: “I am hereby announcing my decision to leave the Reform Party and stand down as their candidate for West Ham and Beckton, with immediate effect.
“I am in no doubt that the party and its senior leadership are not racist.
“As the vast majority of candidates are indeed racist, misogynistic, and bigoted, I do not wish to be directly associated with people who hold such views that are so vastly opposing to my own and what I stand for.”
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Although Ms David said she did not think the problems permeated to the party leadership, she said she has been “significantly frustrated and dismayed” by their failure “to tackle this issue in any meaningful way”.
She added: “Their attempts to instead try to brush it under the carpet or cry foul play.
“As such, I have now suspended my campaign with Reform, and I am endorsing the Conservative Party – I would encourage all of my fellow patriots to do the same.”
It comes two days after Reform’s candidate in Erewash also defected to the Conservatives over racism concerns.
Liam Booth-Isherwood said he had become “increasingly disillusioned” with the behaviour of the party and accused leader Mr Farage of not taking it seriously.
The other candidates in West Ham and Beckton are:
James Edward Asser – Labour
Lois Austin – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Emily Bigland – Liberal Democrats
Rob Callender – Green Party
Sophia Naqvi – Newham Independents Party
Holly Alice Ramsey – Conservative and Unionist Party
Kayode Shedowo – Christian Peoples Alliance
