On 19 June, Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin attracted controversy when she used the threat of domestic abuse as a rallying cry for the England squad to win. Despite the overwhelming backlash she received, Pochin has since doubled down on the comments:

Adding insult to injury, she laughed about it all too.

Disturbing from Reform

In the offending video, Pochin said:

England won the football last night, and thank goodness they did, because on the occasions that England lose their football matches, the incidences of domestic violence go through the roof. So boys, keep winning!

Of course, it is important to discuss the issue – just not like this. As Maddison Wheeldon reported for the Canary:

A study back in 2014 showed how regardless of win or lose, domestic abuse increases. If England win, there is a 26% spike in domestic abuse. If they lose, there is a 38% rise – with both seeing another 11% increase the following day. This study goes to highlight that men will find any reason to hurt women — they just do it a fraction more if they also happen to be angry about football.

Pochin didn’t talk about how we can protect women; she used the issue as a motivational tool to fire up the Lions. And this is a sick and freakish thing to do.

Since the original comments, Pochin has faced an interview in which the following was put to her:

what what were you thinking by saying that? And why not you know, you’ve you’ve put the onus on footballers to stop domestic violence against women and not the abusers themselves.

And she didn’t have a very good answer to this.

Not on the same page

In the same interview, Thangam Debbonaire said to Pochin:

The reason I’m not on the same page as you, Sarah is because the people who are responsible for domestic violence are the men who do it. And you didn’t say that.

And you had an opportunity, as a politician, you have a platform. You’re absolutely right that at times of sporting events, domestic violence does spike. The people who are responsible aren’t the footballers, and and you didn’t talk about that.

Pochin was laughing at this point, prompting the host to say:

I mean, I’m glad you think it’s funny, but it’s really not.

Responding to Debbonaire, Pochin said:

That’s so wrong to twist my words. I’ve been very clear about what I say. As a as somebody who has worked in this area for 20 years, we all know who  the perpetrators of domestic violence are. When something like this happens… they often have far too much to drink, and they go home, and they take it out on the women

Shockingly, Pochin attempted to pull an ‘I know you are, but what am I?‘, saying:

I’m shocked that you are not on the same side of the women who suffer domestic violence.

Pochin – laughing – claimed that her message was very clear, with Debbonaire continuing:

It was not very clear, and I’m glad you think it’s funny because it’s not. You are laughing, Sarah at something that is very serious. The perpetrators are responsible, not footballers. I just can’t believe your attitude… you are not standing up for women. You are putting responsibility on footballers.

No, you’re really not. And I think women watching can tell, because what they saw was you not even mentioning the men

Panic stations

If you’re wondering why Pochin would make her original statement, the reason is because Reform just realised they have a problem. Or, to be more specific, they realised that women have a problem with them, and with good reason. Makerfield candidate Rob Kenyon was a self-described “sexist”, and the issues don’t stop there. As we covered:

• Ex-Farage employee ‘calls bullsh*t’ on his support for women.
• Farage toxifies abuse inquiry as victims demand apology.
• Reform councillor quits, blames ‘sexism’ and ‘bullying’.
• Tice refuses to deny Reform will end no-fault divorce.
• Braverman announces Reform policy on women, whilst in a party of misogynists.

Reporting on the new policy on women, Wheeldon wrote:

Reform UK will never be a party which genuinely protects women – that is abundantly clear to see just by who they empower, and the women that they disregard.

If women are prepared to target and vilify Muslim people orasylum seekersin the UK, they have the party’s support. If they wish to draw attention to abuse from other groups, in particular those responsible for the majority of harm – pervy patriarchal white men – they go on the attack and diminish women’s traumatic experiences instead.

Reform — Bodge job

Reform is a patriarchy of bullies and old boys, but it’s also a party that wants to win elections. Although women are abused as much as other mistreated groups, they’re most certainly not a minority; they’re actually half of the population. As such, there is no path to power for a party that blatantly disregards women as Reform did in Makerfield:

Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon on #BBCQuestionTime:

Audience: “I’d rather have a career politician than a plumber who’s a sexist.”

“You described yourself as a sexist.”

Kenyon: “Allegedly.”

Then refuses to apologise to Carol Vorderman after agreeing in 2021 that a creep wanting… pic.twitter.com/gtDR4WqgtC

— King (@King0243_PJC) June 5, 2026

What we just saw with Pochin was a clumsy attempt to pretend that Reform gives a sh*t about women. And we’ve no doubt there’ll be more fumbles to come, because the party has finally realised women have their number.

Featured image via The Canary

By Willem Moore

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