Reform UK: Protest held outside party's East Midlands Conference

       Lee Anderson has launched a scathing attack on "deranged socialists" whom he accused of "spitting and hurling abuse" during a protest outside Reform UK's East Midlands conference last night.

       Demonstrators gathered outside Athena Events Venue in Queen Street, Leicester last night, where the eurosceptic party, led by Nigel Farage, is staging the event.

       Branding participants an "angry mob", Ashfield MP Mr Anderson, posting on X, added: "Last night at @reformparty_uk East Midlands Conference an of work-shy, foul mouthed deranged looking socialists gathered outside.

       "They were spitting, hurling abuse and one of our female pensioner supporters was jostled as she attempted to pass on her zimmer frame.

       "We will never bow down to these fifth columnists. We will take our country."

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       Lee Anderson lashed out at the protesters on X (Image: GETTY)

       The demonstration was organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), which likewise shared pictures on X, commenting: "Antiracists protesting outside Reform UK conference in Leicester tonight.”

       SUTR has a section on its website entitled "Stop the growth of Reform".

       It declares: "Reform UK now has five MPs, 41 councillors and 100,000 members. Nigel Farage boasts that he is building a 'people’s army' across Britain.

       "Reform UK offers nothing but racism and scapegoating for ordinary people. We must get organised to expose, campaign against and stop Reform UK.

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       Angry Mob.

       Last night at @reformparty_uk East Midlands Conference an angry mob of work-shy, foul mouthed deranged looking socialists gathered outside.

       They were spitting, hurling abuse and one of our female pensioner supporters was jostled as she attempted to pass on her zimmer…

       — Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_) January 4, 2025

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       "Campaign against Reform UK. Stop them spreading hatred in our communities."

       Sympathisers are encouraged to “go door to door where Reform candidates are standing to mobilise the vote against them”.

       Speaking to Socialist Worker, one participant in yesterday’s protest said: "It was great to see a unity of the left.

       "People from anarchists and socialist groups, trade unions, Green Party, Labour Party and faith groups all stood together in unity to stop the populist hard right Farage supporters."

       Mr Anderson, 57, began his political career as a member of the Labour Party, serving as a councillor in Ashfield from 2015.

       Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrives to speak at the event (Image: Getty Images)

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       In 2018, he was suspended by Labour and subsequently joined the Conservative Party, citing concerns over the party's direction under left-wing influence.

       As a Tory, he was elected MP for Ashfield in 2019 and served as Deputy Chairman of the party from February 2023 to January 2024.

       In March 2024, after having the Conservative whip suspended following controversial remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, he joined Reform UK, becoming their first MP and later serving as the party's Chief Whip.

       In the 2024 general election, he was re-elected as to his seat, this time representing Reform UK.

       Express.co.uk has contacted SUTR for comment.