Michael Heseltine drew parallels between Reform and the fascists of the 1930s, criticizing his party’s stance on asylum seekers and climate legislation. The former Deputy PM, known for his tenure in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, condemned what he deemed as “dishonest” attacks on migrants and slammed Kemi Badenoch’s proposal to roll back climate laws.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Heseltine cautioned about the rise of far-right movements in Europe and the US, singling out Nigel Farage’s party. He expressed concerns that demonizing asylum seekers fosters prejudice within communities.
He also rebuked Badenoch’s intention to scrap the Climate Change Act, labeling it as “unforgivable irresponsibility.” Heseltine highlighted the resurgence of right-wing extremism akin to the 1930s, citing Le Pen in France, AfD in Germany, Fdl in Italy, Vox in Spain, and notably, Reform in the UK.
In a veiled critique aimed at senior Tories, Heseltine emphasized that asylum seekers seek refuge from persecution or conflict and should not be unjustly labeled. He stressed the need to reject populist extremism and distanced himself from Nigel Farage.
Regarding climate change, Heseltine underscored the imperative of addressing global warming and applauded the Conservative Party’s historical role in combating climate change. He warned against neglecting the environmental crisis and urged continued leadership in tackling climate challenges.