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Reform is usually happy to get into a punch-up over its policies. The mantra that “any publicity is good publicity” seemingly inked into the party playbook.
That may be why they seem reasonably relaxed about recent criticism of their migration plans by the Church of England.
Speaking on Tuesday, Nigel Farage delicately suggested that in recent years church leaders had been “out of touch with their own flock”.
That, likely a not-so-subtle reference to the former head of the church Justin Welby – who made frequent interventions into the migration debate.
Follow live politics updates: Tice says archbishop’s criticism is ‘all wrong’
Farage’s deputy Richard Tice did push back against comments made by the Archbishop of York to Sky News.
But this wasn’t the political bareknuckle brawl we frequently see from this insurgent party.
Squaring up to a man of the cloth is perhaps not a good look when you’re trying to win the votes of more moderate shire Tories.
It seems Reform isn’t the only party turning a blind eye to criticism from the clergy though.
This weekend, Sir Keir Starmer appeared to toughen his language on migration again – posting online that “if you cross the Channel unlawfully, you will be detained and sent back”.
The issue for the prime minister is – as it stands – that just isn’t true.
Recent data shows that for those crossing the Channel, the most likely outcome is that they will be approved for asylum and allowed to stay – following a period where their accommodation will be paid for by the…
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