Reform MP Pochin Apologises Over Diversity Comments

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin told a TalkTV phone‑in that “it drives me mad when I see adverts full of Black people, full of Asian people,” saying many TV adverts are unrepresentative and that the “average white family” is no longer shown. She apologised for wording that was “phrased poorly,” said she was criticising the advertising industry’s focus on “DEI” and was calling for balance rather than attacking any group, but has nonetheless stood by her concerns about representation. The comments provoked widespread condemnation, with Labour figures — including Anna Turley — urging Reform leader Nigel Farage to publicly disown the remarks. Reporting cited a Channel 4–commissioned finding that Black people featured in a majority of adverts in 2022 despite making up about 4% of the population of England and Wales. Pochin has previously made controversial interventions, including calling for a burqa ban. The row highlights tensions over representation and DEI policies in advertising and has intensified internal and external pressure on Reform UK.