Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice Comments on AfD Surge
Richard Tice, the Deputy Leader of Reform UK, has made it clear that his party does not align itself with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has recently experienced a dramatic rise to become the second-largest political party in Germany. This marks the most significant representation of the far-right in the country since the end of World War II.
In a press conference held in Berlin, AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla urged the media to stop associating their party with fascism, stating that it was time for a more accurate portrayal. Weidel expressed her ambition for the AfD to overtake the mainstream Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in upcoming elections, with the goal of restoring order to Germany. She noted that she had missed a congratulatory call from X boss Elon Musk, although she did receive praise from Hungary’s far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
In a bid to establish a distinct identity, Reform UK has refrained from congratulating the AfD on its electoral success, as the party aims to position itself as a centrist alternative. In sharp contrast to the AfD’s controversial rhetoric, Weidel has previously made inflammatory comments about immigrants, characterizing them as “burqas, girls in headscarves, knife-wielding men on government benefits, and other good-for-nothing people.” Furthermore, Björn Höcke, the AfD leader in Thuringia, has faced legal repercussions for using a banned Nazi slogan, “Everything for Germany,” which has historical ties to Nazi stormtroopers.
When asked about the lessons Reform UK has learned from the AfD’s electoral success, Tice was unequivocal, stating, “None.” He elaborated, acknowledging that while some aspects of the AfD resonate with voters, many elements are “completely unacceptable.” Tice emphasized that Reform UK is committed to focusing on what they believe is beneficial for the British populace, stating, “What’s right for Britain, the UK, how do we make people better off? That is the critical thing.”
When pressed whether there is any ideological alignment between the two parties, Tice firmly replied, “No, absolutely not.” He further stated, “We see ourselves as a UK-centric common-sense party that’s got solutions for the UK.”
In the recent election, Friedrich Merz’s CDU emerged as the winner but fell short of the anticipated 30% vote share, while the AfD celebrated a notable 20.8% of the votes. Merz’s CDU has consistently ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with the AfD.
As more detailed voting results are analyzed, it appears that the AfD has particularly engaged younger voters in the 18-24 age demographic. The left-wing party, Die Linke, has also managed to secure a significant portion of the youth vote. Tice highlighted that Reform UK is gaining traction among young voters, attributing this phenomenon to widespread dissatisfaction with both Labour and the Conservatives.
- “The reason that we’re attracting lots of young voters is because they realize that the two main parties have let them down,” Tice noted.
- He pointed out the pressing issues young people face, including:
- The high cost of housing
- Tax burdens
- Soaring energy prices
- Increased pressure on public services
- Tice concluded by emphasizing that young voters are asking, “What’s in it for me?”
