Minority groups brace for surge in racism after Reform UK election gains

"What I would encourage the next administration in this city to do, whatever form that administration takes, is that it ensures it champions the diversity of this city, he said. Labour's 14-year rule of the local authority had come to a crashing end, with Reform emerging as the largest party with 22 councillors so far, followed by the Greens on 19, albeit both parties a long way off the 51 needed for a majority."

"Reform UK's success has caused trepidation among many members of minority communities across the UK, with concerns there could now be a rise in hostile rhetoric. Mus, a member of Brummies United Against Racism, a group of neighbours in Birmingham who came together after a far-right group distributed leaflets to their doors, described the success of Reform as really concerning."

"We are really disappointed. We've been campaigning to make sure our city is a safe space for our communities, she said. We know if we get a Reform government what that means to our communities black, brown, migrant communities. Shaista Gohir, the chair of the Muslim Women's Network, based in Birmingham, said people were feeling worried and anxious."

"What does that mean for [communities] in terms of our safety, the quality of services that we're going to receive, she said. Is anti-Muslim rhetoric going to really escalate locally? There is a lot of concern. Similar concerns can be found in other parts of the UK. In Sunderland, a newly elected Reform councillor was suspended days after the election after the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate uncovered a now-deleted post in"

John Cotton conceded defeat in Birmingham’s council election and urged the next administration to champion the city’s diversity. Labour’s 14-year control ended as Reform became the largest party with 22 councillors, followed by the Greens with 19, while neither reached the 51-seat majority. Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors nationally and lost power in Wales for the first time. Reform’s rise has increased anxiety among minority communities, with concerns about hostile rhetoric and potential escalation of anti-Muslim sentiment. Brummies United Against Racism and the Muslim Women’s Network reported disappointment, worry about safety and service quality, and fears about how a Reform-led outcome could affect black, brown, and migrant communities. Similar concerns emerged in Sunderland after a Reform councillor was suspended following allegations tied to an anti-racism investigation.

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