UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK leader Nigel Farage supports US chlorinated chicken imports, comparing it to pre-washed salads already found in UK supermarkets.
As reported by The Guardian, with Reform UK poised to win the highest number of seats, Nigel Farage supports the inclusion of US chlorinated chicken in the UK trade agreement.
What did Nigel Farage say about chlorinated chicken and consumer acceptance?
Ahead of local elections, Mr Farage argued that British consumers already accept imports like chicken from Thailand raised in poor conditions and chlorinated lettuce.
He said,
“If you have a look at the chicken we are currently importing from Thailand, you look at the conditions they’ve been reared in, and that every single bag of pre-made salad in every single supermarket has been chlorinated … once those basics have been accepted I’ll have a debate with you.”
In response to fears of cheaper US chicken undermining British farmers, Mr Farage said,
“I want to promote British farming as a high-end product. Farmers’ markets are growing, attracting a discerning audience who cares about where their meat comes from. I don’t think British farmers need to worry long-term.”
Nigel Farage views on his rift with Elon Musk
During an interview in Lancashire, he addressed his dispute with Elon Musk, who had urged him to adopt a tougher stance on immigration and back far-right figure Tommy Robinson.
Referring to his conflict with Tesla owner and close ally of Donald Trump, Farage asserted,
“I’ve fought against this for 25 years. You can’t bully me, I know what I think is right and what I think is wrong. Nobody pushes me around – not even him.”
Why is the UK opposing US chicken imports?
The British government and Conservatives have rejected US demands to permit imports of chicken with lower welfare standards, citing concerns over food safety and ethics.
Products like chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef are banned in Britain, but President Trump insists agriculture must be included in trade talks to lower tariffs on British exports like steel and cars.
Reform UK set to overtake Tories and Labour
Reform UK aims to win significant seats in local elections, challenging Labour and Tories, with polls showing a three-way split. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is leading in most polls. However, a More in Common survey revealed that Reform may win more seats than Labour and the Tories in a general election, even with a smaller vote share.
In a new poll surveying 16,000 people, Reform is on track to win 180 seats with 23.7% of the vote. The Tories and Labour are expected to win 165 seats, with 24.3% and 24.5% of the vote, respectively. The Liberal Democrats are projected to secure 67 seats, while the SNP would win 35 seats.
According to poll predictions, Labour might lose 246 seats, including 10 cabinet ministers, with losses to Reform in the “red wall” and Welsh valleys, and to the SNP in Scotland.
Surveys results about Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch:
- Nigel Farage:
13% of voters think he could become the next Prime Minister.
Reform UK is polling over 20% nationally. - Keir Starmer:
Also backed by 13% to remain PM after next election.
Only 14% believe Labour will win another majority. - Kemi Badenoch:
Just 5% believe she’ll become PM.
10% expect another Tory leader to take charge.
What did John Curtice say about Nigel Farage and Reform’s strategy?
The polling expert, Sir John Curtice, said Nigel Farage would likely campaign in Hamilton as he’s “the one person everyone knows” in the Reform UK party.
He said,
“Reform are where they are because of Nigel Farage. He absolutely has to turn up and contest everything Reform are hoping to fight, as he’s the one person everybody’s heard of. He’s marmite. But for the constituency they’re to appeal, he’s box office.”
Mr Curtice added,
“The SNP don’t really have to worry about Reform. If you look at the polls, virtually no one who voted for the SNP last summer is going to Reform.”
He said,
“Reform are splitting the Unionist vote. The rise of Reform is good news for John Swinney, not that he will admit it.”
What did Luke Tryl say about voter uncertainty in UK politics?
Luke Tryl, the executive director of More in Common UK stated,
“This research underscores just how uncertain the public feels about the direction of British politics.”
He said,
“Only 13 per cent of Britons are confident Keir Starmer will remain in post after the next election, while a striking 41 per cent say they simply don’t know what the next elected government will look like.”
Mr Tryl added,
“In fact, the public rate Nigel Farage’s chances of becoming prime minister as highly as those of the current PM, with Reform voters particularly convinced their man will be walking into Downing Street. It’s yet another sign of the Reform leader’s ability to cast a political shadow far larger than his party’s presence in Westminster.”