A community centre in Norfolk’s “poshest town” has admitted political reasons were behind its decision to cancel Reform UK’s local branch meeting.
Holt Community Centre, which faced fury from Reform bigwigs over its decision, confirmed the partisan nature of its decision after initially axing the booking “without explanation”.
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In a statement, the centre’s committee said: “As a registered charity and local community centre, we need to be seen to be independent, non-party political and non-sectarian.
“We, therefore, do not hire out meeting space for political party meetings.
Nigel Farage speaking at a separate event
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“In this instance, the fact that this was a political party meeting was not declared on the original booking form and when this fact came to light the event had to be cancelled. All political parties are treated in the same way.”
Holt Community Centre’s executive committee initially opted against responding to requests as to why Reform UK’s North Norfolk branch meeting was cancelled.
Despite claiming it is a non-political venue, the HCC previously held meetings for both local Tories and Ukip.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had already visited Holt on two occasions, describing his visits to the Norfolk market town as “lovely”.
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Holt Community Centre
HOLT COMMUNITY CENTRE
Farage compared the incident in North Norfolk to the “intimidatory” protest held outside Reform UK’s Redruth rally.
Speaking ahead of HCC’s announcement, the Clacton MP said: “I do not know the circumstances at Holt but I am guessing there may have been similar issues with intimidation.
“Clearly, democracy is under attack by the extreme left-wing mob. This is a threat to the political process.”
Reform UK’s Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe added: “Cancelling a Reform meeting for political reasons is outrageous.
Reform UK’s rally in Cornwall was targeted by masked protestersPA“We live in a democratic society and that means tolerating opinions, even if you don’t agree with them yourself.”
Liberal Democrat MP teffan Aquarone last year saw off a challenge from ex-Tory MP Duncan Baker and Reform UK’s Jason Patchett.
However, Aquarone appeared to side with his political rivals on the free speech row.
“Hearing from people whose views we don’t agree with is absolutely essential,” he said.
Nigel Farage at a Reform eventGETTYMeanwhile, local Liberal Democrat Councillor Callum Ringer described the outrage as “theatrical”, pointing out how Reform UK’s often has a stall in the town centre.
The row broke out after North Norfolk Reform organiser Gary Hughes claimed its members were being denied to “right of free speech” after a last-minute cancellation at the HCC.
Local residents were divided on whether the move was the right one, with one describing Reform UK as “ignorant bigots” but another describing the cancellation as “narrow-minded.
Reform supporter Martin Pearse said: “Nothing worse than anti-British leftie virtue-signalling woke nonentities.”
However, Tracey Weston claimed: “Reform is different to any other political party as it goes against everything that Britain stood for.”