Latest news with #JackAnderton
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Former Farage adviser claims Britain should not have fought in WW2
An adviser who helped Nigel Farage to boost his social media presence has suggested that the UK would have been better off had it not got involved in World War 2, rather than deciding to fight Nazi Germany. In his personal blog, Jack Anderton also suggested Britain should not support Ukraine in its fight against Putin's illegal invasion, saying: 'Russia is not our enemy'. The 23-year old, who helped to run Mr Farage's TikTok account, has never been an official Reform UK employee. The blog, first revealed by the Observer, also saw Mr Anderton claim the UK could 'regain' former colonies such as Australia, Canada and South Africa, as well as suggesting the UK should copy the policy of mass incarceration carried out in El Salvador, which has been condemned as a breach of human rights. In a post from June 2024, titled 'A Self-Interested British Foreign Policy', Mr Anderton wrote: 'Britain spent nearly £3trn on WW1 and WW2. What did we get for that? We are no longer the great power we once were, we don't even get a thanks anymore. 'We impoverished ourselves for decades, we didn't finish paying the loans off to America until 2006. 'Our economy stagnated, we lost an empire, and we are pushed around by America. And Germany, a country we beat, has been richer than us since the 1970s.' He said the only wars that were truly in Britain's interests were the Falklands war and the invasion of Egypt for control of the Suez Canal, adding: 'If Britain had not fought in WW1 and WW2, it would not have had to rely on America for economic support, and it would have had the independence to act accordingly. 'Britain could have developed India, Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, The Bahamas, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. In the coming Meritocracy, perhaps Britain could regain some of these nations.' Suggesting Britain should not be supporting Ukraine, he wrote: 'Whilst yes, we are not at war with Russia, we are sending billions of pounds (that we cannot afford) to prop up a country that we have no allegiance to. 'Russia is not our enemy, they have not attacked Britain. It's perfectly acceptable and preferable to state that Russia is not our enemy, but they are not our friend either, we treat them with suspicion, but we do not escalate a conflict with them. 'Why are we fighting a European war? We do not border any of these countries. In their pursuit of all that is good and a handshake from Zelensky, the British ruling class is pushing this country into a war that we have nothing to do with.' He added: 'At least in WW1, we got some land in the Middle East, we get nothing in return for our support of Ukraine.' In a second post from, also from June 2024, Mr Anderton issues an endorsement of Nayib Bukele's policies - the president of El Salvador who has been accused by Amnesty of committing 'massive human rights violations, including thousands of arbitrary detentions and violations of due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment'. At least 18 people have died in state custody, the organisation said. Seemingly endorsing his policies, Mr Anderton said: 'Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. I'd even argue the measures aren't that extraordinary and should be in place in times of normalcy.' He added: 'El Salvador is perhaps a lesson for those in Britain who wish to take back control of their country. Power works, and it is all that matters. State power when used effectively is basically omnipotent. 'The meritocracy will be established, criminals and corrupt officials will be jailed, immigration will drop to zero, houses will be built, and our citizens will once again feel proud of the country they call home.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Farage adviser said UK would be better off if it had not fought in WW2
An adviser used by Nigel Farage and others in Reform UK to boost their social media popularity has suggested that Britain would be better off had it stayed neutral in the second world war instead of fighting Nazi Germany. Jack Anderton, who ran Farage's hugely successful TikTok account before helping Luke Campbell become the Reform mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, also said the UK should not support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. In a post on his personal blog about Britain's international standing, Anderton said that in a future world of 'meritocracy', the UK could 'regain' former colonies such as Australia, Canada and South Africa. He added that the UK should copy the policy of mass incarceration carried out by El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, widely condemned as an abuse of human rights. Anderton has never been employed by Reform but the 23-year-old established Farage on TikTok, where he now has 1.3m followers, before working closely on Campbell's election campaign. He remains a central part of Campbell's circle, and the mayor is known to have made efforts to get him on to his roster of staff, which have been thwarted because he cannot have political appointees. Anderton's personal blog, titled Britain Needs Change, includes an entry from last year about what he called 'a self-interested British foreign policy', arguing that the only conflict in the last century that was in the UK's interest was the Falklands war. 'Trillions of pounds of British taxes have been spent in foreign lands in the pursuit of 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'doing what is right',' the post said. 'More than a million British lives have been lost since WW1 in wars and battles that have never once been fought by British men, on this island.' Fighting in both the world wars ensured the UK was no longer a great power, he wrote: 'We impoverished ourselves for decades, we didn't finish paying the loans off to America until 2006. Our economy stagnated, we lost an empire, and we are pushed around by America. And Germany, a country we beat, has been richer than us since the 1970s. 'Alternative history is interesting; if Britain had not fought in WW1 and WW2, it would not have had to rely on America for economic support, and it would have had the independence to act accordingly. Britain could have developed India, Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, the Bahamas, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. In the coming meritocracy, perhaps Britain could regain some of these nations.' The same post also argues against providing support for Ukraine after Russia's invasion: 'We are sending billions of pounds (that we cannot afford) to prop up a country that we have no allegiance to. Russia is not our enemy, they have not attacked Britain.' Anderton calls for a shake-up of the Foreign Office so that all decisions are made purely on the basis of whether or not they benefit Britain: 'Instead, what we have are people who should be working for the UN or a charity rather than working in the British Foreign Office.' In another post from 2024, on crime, Anderton enthusiastically endorses the policies of Nayib Bukele, who has dramatically cut gang violence and wider crime through mass detentions that have put 2% of El Salvador's population in prison. 'Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,' he wrote. 'I'd even argue the measures aren't that extraordinary and should be in place in times of normalcy. 'El Salvador is perhaps a lesson for those in Britain who wish to take back control of their country. Power works, and it is all that matters. State power when used effectively is basically omnipotent. The meritocracy will be established, criminals and corrupt officials will be jailed, immigration will drop to zero, houses will be built, and our citizens will once again feel proud of the country they call home.' Anderton was contacted for comment. Campbell's office referred the matter to Reform UK, who said Anderton was not employed by either the party or the mayor.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Nigel Farage adviser claims UK would be better off if it had not fought Nazi Germany and calls for Britain to 'regain' former colonies
A former social media adviser used by Nigel Farage and other Reform UK members claimed Britain would not have had to 'rely on America' if it hadn't fought in World War II. Jack Anderton, 23, has never been employed by Reform UK, but has managed its leader's successful TikTok account, which now has 1.3million followers. He also went on to help Luke Campbell, the Reform mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, and continues to remain a part of the politician's circle. Campbell tried to bring Anderton on his staff, according to The Guardian, however his wishes were denied because he cannot have political staff. Last year, Anderton called for Britain to 'regain' former colonies, such as Australia, Canada and South Africa in a personal blog titled 'A Self-Interest British Foreign Police'. The 23-year-old said 'trillions of pounds' funded by the British taxpayer had been spent, and 'more than a million British lives' since World War I had been lost fighting in foreign territories in the name of 'democracy' and 'doing what is right'. However, in his online essay, he argued the only war in the last decade which were 'directly' in the interest of Britain was the 'Falklands War', stating it was a 'retaking' of 'invaded' British lands. 'If Britain had not fought in WW1 and WW2, it would not have had to rely on America for economic support, and it would have had the independence to act accordingly,' he argued. 'Britain could have developed India, Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, The Bahamas, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. In the coming Meritocracy, perhaps Britain could regain some of these nations.' After stating the World War I 'was a European war', that British men had 'no interest' being involved in, he said the UK was 'spending billions (that we can't afford)' on helping Ukraine in their conflict against Russia. He said: 'Russia is not our enemy, they have not attacked Britain. It's perfectly acceptable and preferable to state that Russia is not our enemy, but they are not our friend either, we treat them with suspicion, but we do not escalate a conflict with them. Why are we fighting a European war?' Anderton also went on to call for the Foreign Office to think of how decisions impact or benefit Britain, arguing we have civil servants who should be 'working for the UN or a charity rather than working in the British Foreign Office.' Another post from his blog in 2024, titled New Ideas, supported the policies of El-Salvadorian President, Nayib Bukele, who has seen a huge decrease in crime and gang violence after jailing two percent of his country's population. But, Bukele and his government have been condemned for 'massive human rights violations', which includes thousands of detentions, torture and ill-treatment, according to Amnesty International. 'Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,' he wrote. 'I'd even argue the measures aren't that extraordinary and should be in place in times of normalcy.' Anderton said El Salvador's decision on mass detention provided was a lesson to Britain for those who desire to 'take back control of their country'. He argued when a country's power is used 'effectively', criminals and the corrupt are placed behind bars and immigration would 'drop to zero', adding that in turn, houses are constructed and residents then 'feel proud' of their country. MailOnline has approached Reform UK and Jack Anderton for comment. It is understood Anderton was not employed by Reform UK or Luke Campbell.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Farage adviser said UK would be better off if it had not fought Nazi Germany
An adviser used by Nigel Farage and others in Reform UK to boost their social media popularity has suggested that Britain would be better off had it stayed neutral in the second world war instead of fighting Nazi Germany. Jack Anderton, who ran Farage's hugely successful TikTok account before helping Luke Campbell become the Reform mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, also said the UK should not support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. In a post on his personal blog about Britain's international standing, Anderton said that in a future world of 'meritocracy', the UK could 'regain' former colonies such as Australia, Canada and South Africa. He added that the UK should copy the policy of mass incarceration carried out by El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, widely condemned as an abuse of human rights. Anderton has never been employed by Reform but the 23-year-old established Farage on TikTok, where he now has 1.3m followers, before working closely on Campbell's election campaign. He remains a central part of Campbell's circle, and the mayor is known to have made efforts to get him on to his roster of staff, which have been thwarted because he cannot have political appointees. Anderton's personal blog, titled Britain Needs Change, includes an entry from last year about what he called 'a self-interested British foreign policy', arguing that the only conflict in the last century that was in the UK's interest was the Falklands war. 'Trillions of pounds of British taxes have been spent in foreign lands in the pursuit of 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'doing what is right',' the post said. 'More than a million British lives have been lost since WW1 in wars and battles that have never once been fought by British men, on this island.' Fighting in both the world wars ensured the UK was no longer a great power, he wrote: 'We impoverished ourselves for decades, we didn't finish paying the loans off to America until 2006. Our economy stagnated, we lost an empire, and we are pushed around by America. And Germany, a country we beat, has been richer than us since the 1970s. 'Alternative history is interesting; if Britain had not fought in WW1 and WW2, it would not have had to rely on America for economic support, and it would have had the independence to act accordingly. Britain could have developed India, Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, the Bahamas, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. In the coming meritocracy, perhaps Britain could regain some of these nations.' The same post also argues against providing support for Ukraine after Russia's invasion: 'We are sending billions of pounds (that we cannot afford) to prop up a country that we have no allegiance to. Russia is not our enemy, they have not attacked Britain.' Anderton calls for a shake-up of the Foreign Office so that all decisions are made purely on the basis of whether or not they benefit Britain: 'Instead, what we have are people who should be working for the UN or a charity rather than working in the British Foreign Office.' In another post from 2024, on crime, Anderton enthusiastically endorses the policies of Nayib Bukele, who has dramatically cut gang violence and wider crime through mass detentions that have put 2% of El Salvador's population in prison. 'Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,' he wrote. 'I'd even argue the measures aren't that extraordinary and should be in place in times of normalcy. 'El Salvador is perhaps a lesson for those in Britain who wish to take back control of their country. Power works, and it is all that matters. State power when used effectively is basically omnipotent. The meritocracy will be established, criminals and corrupt officials will be jailed, immigration will drop to zero, houses will be built, and our citizens will once again feel proud of the country they call home.' Anderton was contacted for comment. Campbell's office referred the matter to Reform UK, who said Anderton was not employed by either the party or the mayor.
