In a controversial incident that has sparked considerable public outcry, Labour MPs Sarah Smith, representing Hyndburn, and Chris Webb, from Blackpool South, have urged the political party Reform UK to suspend their recently elected councillor, Joel Tetlow. This call for action comes on the heels of a post shared on Tetlow’s official Facebook page that featured a photo of Adolf Hitler, which has since been deleted. The image, accompanied by provocative text, drew sharp criticism from both local representatives and the public, particularly during the week commemorating the United Kingdom’s Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Smith and Webb were quick to condemn the post, sharing a screen grab of the offensive content. Smith, in her public statement, emphasized the inappropriateness of such a post in light of the historical significance surrounding VE Day, indicating that Tetlow’s actions did not align with the values of respect and remembrance that are generally observed during this significant time. She stated, “If he had any regard for this country’s traditions or the sacrifice that our armed forces played, he would not be downplaying Hitler’s attempts to invade Britain to score political points.”
The post remained visible from around 1:00 PM BST on Tuesday until early Wednesday when it was eventually removed. It included a photo of Hitler looking over a map, interlaced with the words, “Why don’t we invade them slowly? A few men at a time in small boats,” followed by a caption warning about the dangers of such ideas had they been presented to Hitler. This imagery and suggestion drew immediate ire, not only from MPs but also from the general public, who began voicing their condemnation on various platforms.
Joel Tetlow, who represents Accrington North, responded to the uproar through a statement to Sky News saying he did not intend any disrespect with his post. He explained that his comments were intended to draw a parallel with ongoing migrant situations, comparing the arrival of daily boat migrants to historical invasions, likening the contemporary scenario to the use of the wooden horse during the Trojan War as a means of infiltration. Nonetheless, this defense has done little to quell the outrage expressed by his critics.
The internal political ramifications are becoming apparent, as the Reform UK group prepares to elect a new council leader on May 10, following last week’s local elections which resulted in the party taking control of 53 out of 84 seats on Lancashire County Council. Tetlow’s controversial post is seen as a blatant disregard for the ethical standards expected of elected officials. Webb specifically noted that Tetlow’s actions constitute a “flagrant violation of the Councillor Code of Conduct,” thus undermining the trust that the public places in local government officials. He asserted that neither hate nor extremism should be tolerated in political discourse.
As a result of the backlash, both MPs are advocating for immediate action from Reform UK, calling on the party leader, Nigel Farage, to suspend Tetlow and demand a public apology from him. The sentiments expressed by Smith and Webb reflect a broader concern about political accountability and the responsibilities held by elected representatives to uphold certain standards of decorum and respectability.
Lancashire County Council, for its part, has refrained from commenting on the controversy, stating that the matter is one for Reform UK to address. This incident invites further scrutiny of how political parties handle drastic actions from their members and the broader implications these actions have on community trust and political integrity. The ongoing dialogue around Tetlow and the potential consequences he might face continue to unfold as the story develops and public sentiment leans towards accountability and ethical leadership in local governance.