Senior South Tyneside Reform UK councillor states a far-right conspiracy theory is in ‘full swing’
South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member for Housing believes a far-right conspiracy theory is in “full swing”.
A senior Reform UK South Tyneside councillor has claimed a far-right conspiracy theory is in “full swing” while stating that the British people are “gathering together to face off an invasion”.
Cllr Steven Smith, who was elected in May 2026 to represent the Biddick and All Saints ward, made the comments on his now-deleted Facebook page following demonstrations in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend.
Within his post, the Lead Member for Housing at South Tyneside Council said British patriots are fighting against “invaders and the government” while calling for people to back Reform UK.
Posting a far-right conspiracy theory
Cllr Smith also claimed that the ‘Population Replacement Programme’ (PRP) is in “full swing”.
The claim echoes the ‘Great Replacement’, a widely debunked far-right conspiracy theory that claims that white populations in Western countries are being deliberately replaced by non-white immigrants through mass migration and demographic change.
He said: “Agree with it or not, British people are gathering together to face off an invasion.
“The patriotic protesters are described as thugs, and ‘peaceful protest’ is called for - far easier to ignore.
“When did you last read a headline about a quiet peaceful protest? We, British patriots, are far past the end of our tether; fighting on two fronts - the invaders and the government.
“Be in no doubt my friends, the PRP - Population Replacement Programme - is in full swing; global puppet masters don't give a damn about your culture or heritage.
“Meanwhile Labour say they've turned a corner, as Jaguar cut 4,000 British jobs.
“Time is no longer on our side, join the Reform revolution now; the only viable option to save our beautiful country.”
‘How many more Reform councillors think the same?’
Cllr Geraldine Kilgour, the local authority’s only elected Labour member, branded Cllr Smith’s comments as “inciteful and hateful”.
The councillor for the Fellgate and Hedworth ward also confirmed that she has reported the comments from Cllr Smith to South Tyneside Council’s chief executive.
She commented: “To say that we don’t have a problem with illegal immigration would be incorrect but I think that his comments are absolutely disgusting.
“I’ve written to the Council’s chief executive about this because I think they are inciteful and hateful.
“I’m absolutely appalled and I genuinely had to do a double take when I saw the post - he is a Lead Member and part of the borough’s political executive.
“What are they thinking and how many more Reform councillors think the same?
“I understand that there are issues with immigration in this country but the way to solve it isn’t by spouting hatred and unfactual information that could lead to the rioting that we saw 18 months ago.
“It is absolutely horrific and for a serving councillor in a leading role, particularly to do with housing, to be posting things like this is really frightening for the community.
“It also raises safety questions for our BAME community, who are a huge part of our borough’s economy and history.”
The Shields Gazette has contacted Cllr Smith, the South Tyneside branch of Reform UK for a comment.