Labour Minister Compares Reform UK To Far-Right German Party
Treasury minister Emma Reynolds has drawn a direct comparison between Reform UK and Germany's far-right AfD during a radio interview.
A senior UK government minister has drawn a direct comparison between Reform UK and a far-right German party that has secured a major electoral breakthrough.
Speaking on Times Radio, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds stated that the UK government would not be reaching out to right-wing populist parties. The remarks came as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) advanced toward becoming the largest party in Saxony-Anhalt, setting the stage to become the first far-right party to gain power at a German state level since the Nazi era of World War 2, according to reporting by HuffPost UK.
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The AfD has capitalized on anti-immigration and anti-woke platforms, alongside pro-Kremlin stances that include calling for an end to international sanctions against Russia and an overhaul of the school curriculum to be more nationalistic. When asked by interviewer Kate McCann whether she put the AfD in the same bracket as Reform UK, Reynolds replied affirmatively. While the interviewer noted that AfD policies are substantially more extreme than those advocated by Reform, the minister maintained that both political outfits try to feed on public grievances without offering workable solutions.
Reynolds further observed that France faces similar political dynamics with its own populist movements."And yes, I see them in the same political bracket. And it reminds us that as a government, we have the responsibility to drive change and to convince people that we can change the country for the better and that they don’t need to resort to voting for far-right politicians to express themselves."
Emma Reynolds, Treasury minister, via HuffPost UK
Meanwhile, political turmoil in Germany has provided fertile ground for the AfD's continued rise. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government coalition — comprising the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) — took office on May 6, 2025, with economic recovery slated as their top priority, as detailed by DW. However, after one year in office, Merz acknowledged that steering the country in a new direction has proven more difficult than anticipated. Compromises within the centrist coalition have slowed progress, and the broader economy has failed to gain momentum.
Public discontent with the administration has reached historic levels. According to an ARD-Deutschlandtrend survey conducted by pollster infratest dimap among eligible German voters, dissatisfaction with the government stands at an unprecedented high, with only a fraction of respondents believing the coalition should remain in office until the next general election scheduled for 2029. Voting intentions reflect a severe shift away from the ruling parties.
| Political Party / Bloc | Deutschlandtrend Poll (Nationwide) | Saxony-Anhalt Regional Poll |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative for Germany (AfD) | 27% | 41% |
| CDU/CSU | 24% | 26% |
| Green Party | 15% | , |
| Social Democratic Party (SPD) | 12% | , |
| Left Party | 10% | , |
As reported by DW, the AfD leads nationwide polling at 27%, while the conservative CDU/CSU bloc has dropped to second place at 24%. In Saxony-Anhalt, where a new state parliament is scheduled to be elected this September, the AfD surges ahead at 41%, leaving the incumbent CDU trailing at 26%. Despite these pressures, Chancellor Merz insists there is no alternative to the current coalition with the SPD, though difficult legislative battles over pension reforms and income tax cuts lie ahead before the summer recess.
External pressures also compound domestic challenges for Berlin. The German Navy is deploying vessels such as the minesweeper Fulda and the supply ship Mosel to prepare for potential international missions in the Mediterranean and the Strait of Hormuz. Relations with the United States under President Donald Trump have also introduced foreign policy friction, though German voters broadly support Merz in standing his ground rather than adopting a restrained approach.
Further developments are expected as the Saxony-Anhalt state election approaches in September.
