Nadhim Zahawi's defection to Reform UK has thrown the party into crisis, with many members expressing outrage over his decision to join an organization that has been criticized for promoting vaccine scepticism. The controversy surrounding Zahawi's recruitment was reignited when he was questioned about his views on a doctor who had spoken out against COVID-19 vaccines, claiming they were responsible for King Charles and the Princess of Wales' cancers.
Zahawi, who served as vaccines minister during the pandemic, became increasingly frustrated with reporters asking him if he would seek to change Reform's medical policies influenced by the same vaccine-sceptic doctor. He eventually snapped, telling a journalist that it was "a really stupid question" and refusing to answer again.
However, away from the formal launch event, Reform UK members have taken to social media to express their dismay and even threaten to resign in protest. Some have described Zahawi's recruitment as a "Muslim takeover," highlighting concerns about Islamophobia within the party.
The issue of vaccine scepticism has been a contentious one for Reform UK, with several senior figures expressing doubts about the safety and necessity of COVID-19 vaccines. However, some members have gone further, questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.
One councillor who defected to Reform UK last week, Dr Chandra Kanneganti, stated that he would share his expertise on developing evidence-based policies and disagrees with views expressed by figures like Aseem Malhotra, the doctor who claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused cancer in the royal family.
Reform UK's chair, David Bull, has faced pressure from angry callers questioning Zahawi's defection and his role in promoting vaccines. Despite this, he maintained that the party's stance on compulsory vaccines remains unchanged.
Zahawi, who served as vaccines minister during the pandemic, became increasingly frustrated with reporters asking him if he would seek to change Reform's medical policies influenced by the same vaccine-sceptic doctor. He eventually snapped, telling a journalist that it was "a really stupid question" and refusing to answer again.
However, away from the formal launch event, Reform UK members have taken to social media to express their dismay and even threaten to resign in protest. Some have described Zahawi's recruitment as a "Muslim takeover," highlighting concerns about Islamophobia within the party.
The issue of vaccine scepticism has been a contentious one for Reform UK, with several senior figures expressing doubts about the safety and necessity of COVID-19 vaccines. However, some members have gone further, questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.
One councillor who defected to Reform UK last week, Dr Chandra Kanneganti, stated that he would share his expertise on developing evidence-based policies and disagrees with views expressed by figures like Aseem Malhotra, the doctor who claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused cancer in the royal family.
Reform UK's chair, David Bull, has faced pressure from angry callers questioning Zahawi's defection and his role in promoting vaccines. Despite this, he maintained that the party's stance on compulsory vaccines remains unchanged.
... it seems like they're going down a really dark path with vaccine scepticism... Nadhim zahawi's defection is huge and it's not just about him, it's about the impact on the party and its members 
. i feel for dr chandra kanneganti who spoke out against some of these views and now he's being pulled into this drama 
. reform uk needs to figure out what they stand for and how to address these concerns in a constructive way 
. it's not about politics, it's about people's lives and health 
. let's hope they can get back on track and promote evidence-based policies 
, and now he's just casually bringing in someone who thinks covid-19 vaccines caused cancer in the royal family? that's some wild stuff 
what if he starts influencing their policies? 
reform uk needs to sort out this mess ASAP 
. So Nadhim Zahawi joins Reform UK, which is already a bit of a weird party for me, but I get it. They don't believe in all this vaccine stuff and that kinda thing. But now he's in the hot seat because he used to be the vaccines minister? Like, what's his strategy here? 
Is he trying to turn things around or just sit back and let the drama unfold?
... I mean, I get why people are upset about Nadhim Zahawi joining Reform UK, but come on, dude! He was a key figure in promoting vaccines during the pandemic and now he's just like "whatever" about it? 
And to make matters worse, some of these Reform UK members are being super Islamophobic and making baseless claims about a Muslim takeover... that's not okay at all 
. I'm actually kinda surprised that more people aren't speaking out against this kind of toxic behavior online.
.
. I get why some members are mad and even threatening to quit, especially if they feel Islamophobia is involved 
.
. Reform UK needs to get their act together and figure out what they really stand for 
.
It's not just about free speech, it's about keeping people safe. I'm sad to see Dr Kanneganti and others defecting over this issue - we need experts like them on our side, sharing their knowledge to help us make informed decisions. And for Reform UK members to call it a "Muslim takeover" is really hurtful 
.
i mean idk what's more concerning is the fact that people are saying its a "muslim takeover" which is just, wow. we gotta talk about this in a way that promotes understanding not fear or hate 
anyway zahawi's defection has thrown reform uk into chaos and im not surprised 
its like, u can't have ppl on the same team who are espousing such different views on vaccines 
. And to make matters worse, some members are freaking out over "Muslim takeover" talk 
️. I get it, the party's stance on vaccines is being questioned 
. Vaccines are crucial, folks! 
#VaccineMatters #ReasonableConversation
We gotta stand up 4 our rights & not let hate speech get the best of us! 
, looks like Reform UK is in a major mess. I don't get why they'd recruit someone who's been vocal about vaccine scepticism... it just seems so contradictory to their whole party vibe 
but also some people are freaking out over "muslim takeover" stuff? like, come on guys let's focus on the real issue at hand 
Nadhim Zahawi joining Reform UK is a total game-changer for me, I gotta say... I mean, what was he thinking? He's basically joined an org that promotes vaccine scepticism, which is just straight-up ridiculous! 
. reform uk members are freaking out on social media rn and some are even threatening to quit over this 
. i don't even know if i can support them anymore