Conspiracy theory accounts on Telegram show support for Reform UK during election
- Hundreds of conspiracy theory accounts on Telegram favored Reform UK over other political parties.
- Reform UK faced pressure to prove the authenticity of its candidates.
- The embrace of Reform UK by such groups raises questions about the party's support base and image.
In a recent investigation conducted by Sky News in collaboration with Prose, an open-source intelligence company, it was revealed that Nigel Farage and his party, Reform UK, have garnered significant attention from conspiracy theory and nationalist groups on the messaging app Telegram. These groups, with a combined following of over 15 million, expressed support for Farage and Reform UK in discussions related to the UK general election. While the analysis focused on 10,000 Telegram accounts known for sharing conspiracist and extremist content, it is noted that the actual number of users may be lower due to factors such as duplicate accounts, bots, and international users. Al Baker, the managing director of Prose, emphasized that the support from conspiracists and extremists for Farage and Reform UK does not imply that all their supporters share those beliefs. However, there is a clear correlation between individuals with such ideologies and their preference for Reform UK over other political parties. Notably, a group associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory, known for its extreme views, announced plans to create a Reform UK-based group on Facebook to attract more followers. Farage has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with polling companies, accusing them of downplaying Reform UK's projected results and alleging election interference. Additionally, he has expressed opposition to the World Economic Forum (WEF), linking it to the "Great Reset" conspiracy theory that suggests the WEF aims to establish a global totalitarian government. Despite the controversies surrounding Farage and Reform UK, a sizable online following, including an account with over 100,000 followers, has shown support for the party's campaign promises. As the UK general election approaches, the intersection of political discourse with conspiracy theories and extremist ideologies continues to be a topic of concern. The influence of online platforms like Telegram in shaping public opinion and attracting diverse groups to political movements underscores the complexities of modern political engagement. Farage and Reform UK's ability to resonate with a segment of the population that aligns with such fringe beliefs raises questions about the broader implications for democratic processes and societal cohesion.