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Laurence Fox is launching a new political party to fight the culture wars called Reclaim, and it has already raised over £ 1 million.
The 42-year-old actor has received substantial sums from former conservative donors and hopes to present dozens of candidates across the UK.
The Lewis star says she wants to provide a movement for people who are “tired of being told that we represent precisely what, in history, we have stood together.”
It comes as Nigel Farage has also threatened to throw an anti-lockdown party after criticizing Boris Johnson’s draconian measures to curb the rise in coronavirus cases.
Laurence Fox is launching a new political party to fight the culture wars and has already raised over £ 1 million.
The 42-year-old actor has received substantial sums from former conservative donors and hopes to feature dozens of candidates across the UK.
Among Fox’s goals in his new party are to reform the BBC and celebrate Britain’s contribution to the world, according to The Telegraph.
The party is tentatively called Reclaim and has a website called LaurenceFoxParty.
He hopes to launch the party next month and the name is subject to approval by the Electoral Commission.
Their website says: ‘For many years it has been clear that our politicians have lost contact with the people they represent and govern. Furthermore, our public institutions now work with an agenda that goes beyond their main purpose.
Its goals include reforming the BBC, protecting freedom of speech and celebrating Britain’s contribution to the world.
Early advocates for the new party included Julia Hartley-Brewer, Darren Grimes and Toby Young, who called Fox’s contribution to politics “exciting news.”
“Our modern UK was born out of the respectful inclusion of so many individual voices. It is steeped in the innate values of families and communities, diverse in the truest sense but united in the desire and need to call this island home.
“The people of the UK are tired of being told that we represent precisely what we have fought together in history.
‘We all have the privilege of being the custodians of our shared heritage. We can claim a respectful nation where everyone is included and no one is embarrassed to have a place to call home. ‘
He added: ‘I have been very encouraged by the support I have received from those who wish to add their voices to this vindication of our values.
“Our country now desperately needs a new political movement that promises to make our future a shared, not a divisive endeavor. This is now my effort. ‘
Many on social media are divided on the news, some celebrate an alternative to current policy options, while others mock Fox and his views.
A Westminster source said the new party is a version of UKIP for culture wars and believes it could attract hundreds of thousands of disgruntled Conservative voters.
Sources close to Fox said the party does not see itself as strictly left or right, but will be a broad church.
So far, Reclaim has three goals, including protecting free speech, reforming publicly funded institutions, and preserving and celebrating Britain’s cultural history.
Planning has been underway for the past two months and sponsors include former conservative donor Jeremy Hosking.
Personnel are already being recruited for the party after Fox took to the political arena after his performance on Question Time in January.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has also revealed that he is considering throwing a new party to challenge the current lockdown measures.
The Brexit Party leader lobbied the prime minister, saying the current restrictions are a threat to freedom.
He told The Times: “We stayed out of the Boris Johnson government, now many are wondering why we bother.”
Nigel Farage has threatened to start an anti-lockdown party while criticizing Boris Johnson’s draconian steps to curb the rise in coronavirus cases.
He has previously criticized the government’s measures, accusing Johnson of adopting an “authoritarian” response to the crisis.
The ex-UKIP tweeted earlier this week: “The prime minister says we are a ‘freedom loving country’ but he will fine you £ 10,000 and send the army if he wants.
This is authoritarian, I don’t believe your promises about testing or the government’s competence. We don’t vote for this. ‘