Nigel Farage advisor sparks controversy over WWII, colonialist comment
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Reform UK associate Jack Anderton argues Britain was wrong to fight WWII and questions UK aid to Ukraine, suggesting that perhaps Britain could "regain" some of its former colonies in the future.
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Jack Anderton (photo from his website)
Jack Anderton, a young figure associated with Reform UK through his work on Nigel Farage’s social media and campaign efforts for Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell, has drawn criticism after suggesting that Britain would have been better off had it remained neutral in World War Two.
According to The Guardian, in a post on his personal blog, Britain Needs Change, Anderton argued that fighting in both world wars left the UK impoverished, reliant on the US for economic survival, and diminished as a global power. He claimed that if Britain had avoided the wars, it might have maintained greater independence and developed its former colonies, expressing hope that it may "regain" them in the future.
“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,” he said in the blog post.
Anderton also questioned Britain’s commitment to Ukraine in its war with Russia, writing that the UK was “sending billions of pounds (that we cannot afford) to prop up a country that we have no allegiance to.” He insisted that Russia is “not our enemy” and argued for a foreign policy based solely on British self-interest.
He criticized what he described as a Foreign Office staffed by people “who should be working for the UN or a charity” instead of prioritizing national interests.
Britain could 'regain' former colonies
In a separate 2024 blog post on crime, The 23-year-old endorsed El Salvador president Nayib Bukele’s controversial policy of mass incarceration, under which around 2% of the country’s population has been jailed. He called it a model for Britain, writing that “extraordinary times require extraordinary measures.”
Anderton argued that such policies would reassert state power, reduce immigration, and restore public pride in the country.
Born in Liverpool and a graduate of King’s College London, Anderton describes himself as a political campaigner for his generation, concerned with how today’s politics affect Britain’s long-term future. He gained a large social media following by producing videos on housing and immigration, some of which were viewed by millions and even contributed to a government consultation on social housing allocation.
Although Anderton has never been employed by Reform UK, he gained prominence by helping establish Nigel Farage’s TikTok account, which now has more than a million followers. He later assisted in Campbell’s successful mayoral campaign.
According to The Guardian, Campbell is reported to have tried to bring Anderton onto his official staff, but rules preventing political appointees blocked the move. Despite lacking a formal role, Anderton reportedly remains close to Campbell’s political circle.
Nonetheless, Reform UK has clarified that Anderton is not employed by the party or the mayor.
