Labour Party Critiques Farage Over U.S. Anti-Abortion Links

The Labour Party in the United Kingdom has publicly criticized Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing populist Reform U.K. party, for his recent appearance before the U.S. Congress, which was facilitated by a prominent American anti-abortion organization. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian group known for its role in overturning the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S., arranged Farage’s testimony in September. During this appearance, Farage spoke out against Britain’s free-speech regulations.

The Labour Party’s condemnation comes in light of reports detailing how the Alliance Defending Freedom’s British branch orchestrated multiple meetings and briefings between influential U.S. officials and Farage throughout the year. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Labour Party expressed concern, stating, “Reports that Nigel Farage’s appearance in the U.S. Congress was arranged by a group behind America’s abortion rollback are deeply concerning.”

Adding to the controversy, the Labour Party highlighted the recent appointment of James Orr as a senior adviser to Reform U.K. They noted that Orr opposes abortion in all circumstances, including cases of rape. Farage announced Orr’s appointment during an interview with The Telegraph on Sunday.

Dr. James Orr, who is affiliated with the University of Cambridge as a right-wing Christian theologian, has been a vocal critic of abortion laws in the UK. He has previously characterized Britain’s abortion regulations as “one of the most extreme abortion regimes in the world.” Additionally, Orr is known to have close ties with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, having hosted him at his home in Cambridgeshire.

The intersection of Farage’s political activities with the agenda of a U.S. anti-abortion group raises significant questions about the influence of foreign organizations on domestic policies in the UK. As the political landscape continues to shift, the implications of these connections are likely to resonate within both British and American political discourse.

In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party’s critique aligns with broader concerns regarding the growing influence of right-wing populist movements and their associations with international partners. As debates over reproductive rights and free speech intensify, the ramifications of Farage’s affiliations and the agendas of groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom are poised to be a focal point in upcoming political discussions.