Minister labels Reform UK 'far right' and likens Nigel Farage's party to Germany's AfD

Minister labels Reform UK 'far right' and likens Nigel Farage's party to Germany's AfD Emma Reynolds, chief secretary to the Treasury, said in a TV interview that Reform UK is far-right and compared it to Germany's AfD party, which won the most votes in Germany's eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt A government minister has branded Reform UK "far right" and compared Nigel Farage's party to Germany's AfD. Emma Reynolds accused both parties of feeding on grievances but not presenting solutions. Her remark comes after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the most votes in Germany's eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt - far ahead of its nearest rivals. The anti-immigration and Russia-friendly party is seeking to become the first far-right government in Germany since World War Two. Ms Reynolds, chief secretary to the Treasury, branded the result "disappointing", telling Sky News: "I think it reminds us that we're not the only country where we have far-right populists trying to feed on people's grievances, trying to feed on division and not really presenting solutions." Asked who she was referring to, Ms Reynolds said: "I'm talking about Reform and the AfD." Pressed by host Sophy Ridge on whether she thinks Reform is far-right, Ms Reynolds said: "Yes. In the same way as the AfD, yes." She went on: "It's our job as politicians to convince people that we have the right answers and the right solutions to restore people's hope, to drive growth, to drive opportunities in different parts of the country. That's our job as politicians. "I'm not going to blame the voters because that's the wrong thing to do. But I think what happened in Germany reminds us that we're not the only country where we have right-wing populists who are becoming more successful, unfortunately. "However, I do think Reform is having its own moment. You know, I think the party has got big questions to answer regarding their donations and whether they've complied with electoral law. They've got questions to answer, serious questions to answer about that." In another interview on Times Radio, Ms Reynolds said Reform and the AfD are "in the same bracket". She said: "I think they are both parties that try and feed on the grievances of people and don't come up with solutions. "And yes, I see them in the same political bracket. And it reminds us that as a government, we have the responsibility to drive change and to convince people that we can change the country for the better and that they don't need to resort to voting for far-right politicians to express themselves." Reform UK responded: "Emma Reynolds’ comments are lazy, inaccurate and an insult to Reform UK’s millions of voters . Name calling is the last refuge of failed governments with nothing else to say." The AfD has said it wants to abolish the right to asylum, the confiscation of cash and assets as well as a programme of mass deportations. It also proposes prison sentences for those who insult the 'historical-cultural entity of Germany' and opposes sanctions on Russia. The party secured 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt. more than double its showing five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people. The Christian Democratic Union, the party of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, won 17.2%, losing about half its support.