News

Farage Says Reform to Replace Traditional Tory Party

Farage expressed little astonishment that Conservative MPs were defecting to Reform, citing the latter’s greater dynamism.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has stated that his party is poised to supplant the traditional Conservative party, which he characterizes as outdated.

Nigel Farage gesticulates in the Political Thinking studio. He wears a dark navy suit with a blush pink shirt and a violet tie. — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

In recent months, several high-profile Conservatives, including Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, Danny Kruger, and former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, have defected to Reform UK.

Notably, Farage's party now boasts a greater number of former cabinet members from Liz Truss's administration than Kemi Badenoch's current shadow cabinet.

When questioned by Nick Robinson on Radio 4's Political Thinking, Farage downplayed the significance of Conservative MPs joining Reform UK, suggesting it was a natural consequence of the party's appeal.

Farage predicts that the upcoming Scottish, Welsh, and English council elections in May will mark a significant decline in support for the two major parties in British politics, ultimately leading to the demise of the Tories as a national force.

According to Farage, Reform UK represents a revitalized center-right movement, bringing a renewed sense of energy and passion to the political landscape.

Following Robert Jenrick's defection in mid-January, Farage hinted at an imminent defection from the Labour party, sparking speculation about potential new recruits.

One month later, Farage reiterated his expectation of multiple Labour defections to Reform UK, although he declined to provide a specific timeline.

He cautioned that such developments often unfold gradually, saying, "I haven't got a magic wand. Things don't always happen immediately, but it will happen."

The next key electoral test for Reform UK will be the Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester, scheduled for Thursday, 26 February, where Farage hopes his candidate, Matthew Goodwin, can secure the party's ninth parliamentary seat.

During the campaign, Goodwin sparked controversy by suggesting that some UK-born individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds may not necessarily identify as British, prompting questions about the definition of Britishness.

When asked to clarify his stance on the issue, Farage proposed that the true test of British identity lies in an individual's instinctive response to the question of their nationality.

According to Farage, one must instinctively identify as British to be considered part of the national community, saying, "You've got to instinctively respond 'I'm British' to be part of it."

Farage framed nationality as an extension of familial identity, emphasizing the importance of shared values and priorities.

He argued that Reform UK's vision of Britishness is inclusive, citing the party's performance in the 2024 general election, where it allegedly garnered more votes from the Black, Asian, and minority Ethnic community than the Liberal Democrats.

Farage attributed the erosion of British identity to a "Marxist… poisoning of the minds," criticizing the teaching of "twisted interpretations" of British history in schools and universities.

He expressed concern that some individuals in the UK have been indoctrinated to harbor negative feelings towards their country, saying, "I think the concern and the worry is there are a lot of people here who have been brought up to actually loathe the country."

Farage also expressed support for Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently sparked controversy by suggesting that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants."

Although Sir Jim apologized for any offense caused by his remarks, which were criticized by the prime minister, Farage defended the sentiment behind the comment, saying it was "accurate and right" if one disregards the term "colonise."

Farage cited east London, where signs in foreign languages are common, as an example of how mass migration has led to the transformation of certain areas, making them "unrecognisable" and ultimately harming the country.

The Reform UK leader contended that Sir Jim's comments, though provocative, highlighted the need for an open debate on the impact of immigration.

A Labour spokesperson responded by highlighting the significant number of former Conservative MPs and councillors who have joined Reform UK, questioning the party's potential impact on public services.

The spokesperson argued that the presence of former Tories in Reform UK's ranks raises concerns about the party's intentions, saying, "You simply can't trust them" due to their past records.

The BBC has reached out to the Conservative party for comment on the developments.

A comprehensive list of candidates for the Gorton and Denton by-election can be found on the BBC's website.

To stay informed about the latest political developments, readers can sign up for the Politics Essential newsletter, which provides in-depth analysis and insights from across the UK, delivered directly to their inbox every weekday.

Up Next

Wrexham Pair Seek Win Against Former Team Ipswich

Don't Miss

Cricket Podcast from Test Match Special

Click to comment

News

NBA Imposes Fine on Utah Jazz for Violating League Integrity

The National Basketball Association has imposed a fine of $500,000, equivalent to £367,000, on the Utah Jazz for resting healthy players, a move deemed to have undermined the league’s integrity.

The Utah Jazz have secured 18 victories out of 56 games played so far this season.

The NBA has imposed a fine of $500,000 (£367,000) on the Utah Jazz for their decision to bench healthy players, which the league believes has compromised the integrity of the competition.

In recent games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy made the decision to remove key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr from the lineup before the fourth quarter.

This strategy, commonly referred to as "tanking," involves coaches deliberately fielding a weaker team to improve their chances of securing a higher draft pick.

The NBA's draft system is designed to give teams with the worst records the best opportunity to select top prospects.

The Indiana Pacers have also been fined $100,000 (£73,000) for violating the league's player participation policy during their loss to the Jazz on February 4.

According to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, "behaviour that prioritises draft position over winning undermines the competitive foundation of the NBA, and we will take appropriate action in response to any further incidents that compromise the integrity of our games."

The NBA is currently working with its competition committee and board of governors to develop additional measures aimed at preventing this type of behaviour.

With the Jazz ranked 13th in the Western Conference and the Pacers 14th in the Eastern Conference, a playoff push seems unlikely for both teams, and attention is already turning to next season's roster construction.

In their recent games, the Jazz held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter against Orlando on February 8 but ultimately lost 120-117, while they managed to defeat Miami 115-111 two days later.

Utah owner Ryan Smith expressed his disagreement with the fine on social media, stating "Agree to disagree. We won the game in Miami and still got fined, which doesn't make sense."

Head coach Will Hardy has defended his decision to bench Markkanen, citing a minutes restriction, and the team has also announced that Jackson Jr will undergo season-ending knee surgery after the All-Star games.

Hardy explained his decision, saying "I benched Lauri because he was under a minutes restriction, and I'm trying to keep him healthy, as per our medical team's instructions."

This is not the first time the Jazz have been fined for resting players; they were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games.

The Pacers' fine was issued after a league investigation found that Pascal Siakam and two other players who did not participate in the game could have played, even if it was with limited minutes.

The player participation policy was introduced by the NBA in 2023 as a measure to discourage teams from deliberately losing games to improve their draft lottery chances.

Business

Artist Alleges AirAsia Used His Work Without Permission

A street artist from Penang has reported that one of his artworks has been replicated and featured on the design of an airplane.

A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.

A low-resolution image of an AirAsia aircraft with artwork children cycling printed on its side. The passenger plane is pictured parked in an airport — Artist Ernest Zacharevic is sueing AirAsia over the use of a livery on one of its jets in 2024

According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.

Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.

The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.

In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.

With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.

One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.

The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.

Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.

Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.

He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.

A photograph of a wall mural, depicting two children in white tops. The images in painted to show the children seated on a real-life bicycle. — Zacharevic painted Kids on Bicycle, a famous wall mural in Penang, in 2012

Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.

This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.

Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.

According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.

The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.

As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.

Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.

The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.

Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.

News

Northern Ireland boss O’Neill poised for Blackburn Rovers move

Michael O’Neill, the manager of Northern Ireland, is poised to take on a position with Blackburn Rovers, a Championship club, in a dual capacity that will last until the end of the current season.

Michael O'Neill has begun his second stint as the manager of the Northern Ireland national team.

It has been announced that Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, is expected to take on a dual role with Championship club Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.

In March, Northern Ireland will face Italy in a World Cup play-off semi-final, followed by a potential match against either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, depending on the outcome of the Italy game.

O'Neill will remain involved with the Northern Ireland team for these matches and the World Cup finals, if they qualify.

After the current season, O'Neill is expected to take on the manager's role at Blackburn Rovers on a full-time basis.

Damien Johnson, a former Northern Ireland midfielder, will assist O'Neill at Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season.

If an agreement with the Irish FA is reached promptly, O'Neill could be in charge of Blackburn Rovers for their upcoming Championship match against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday.

Currently, Blackburn Rovers are ranked 22nd in the table, narrowly outside the safety zone due to their goal difference.

The team has been without a permanent manager since Valerien Ismael's departure on February 2, with Damien Johnson serving as interim manager.

In 2020, O'Neill had a similar arrangement with Stoke City, where he balanced his duties with both the club and the national team.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a delay in the Euro 2020 play-offs, and O'Neill left his position before those matches took place.

O'Neill returned to manage the national team in 2022, signing a contract that will keep him in the role until after the Euro 2028 campaign.

Northern Ireland is aiming to qualify for its first World Cup in 40 years and its first major tournament since O'Neill led the team to the Euro 2016 finals during his initial tenure.

O'Neill attended the Nations League draw on Thursday, where Northern Ireland was paired with Hungary, Ukraine, and Georgia, but he did not interact with the media in Brussels.

England's Nations League draw has resulted in matches against Spain and Croatia.