Farage’s attack on Turkish barber shops is dog-whistle racism, minister says

A government minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of "dog-whistle racism" for his attacks on Turkish barber shops. Fahnbulleh argues that Farage is exploiting high street decline to promote division, rather than offering viable solutions. Reform UK has made revitalizing struggling town centers a key campaign issue, promising to address illicit shops and declare a "national high street emergency." Farage has specifically targeted the increasing number of Turkish barber shops, suggesting they are often fronts for illegal activities. Fahnbulleh contends that the focus on Turkish barbers distracts from the real issues of long-term neglect and decline affecting high streets across the country. The accusations come as Reform UK gains traction in areas with high shop closure rates ahead of local elections in May.

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