Nigel Farage is facing calls to denounce one of his own party members who expressed frustration at the prevalence of Black and Asian individuals in advertisements. Sarah Pochin, a Member of Parliament for Runcorn and Helsby, made these remarks during an appearance on TalkTV in response to a question about demographic representation in TV commercials.
Pochin echoed a caller’s assertion that the depiction of non-white individuals in ads amounted to a negative portrayal of white people. She remarked, “It bothers me to see ads predominantly featuring Black, Asian, or non-white individuals.” When pressed further by the host, Peter Cardwell, Pochin reiterated her stance, criticizing what she perceived as an overwhelming influence of “woke culture” in television.
She argued that such advertising did not accurately reflect society and lamented the lack of representation of average white families. Pochin suggested that the push for diversity and inclusion had overshadowed the portrayal of white individuals, particularly in regions like Runcorn.
These comments drew swift condemnation from Anna Turley, Chair of the Labour Party, who called on Farage to clarify his stance on Pochin’s statements. Turley criticized Pochin for focusing on individuals’ skin color in TV ads, branding it divisive and emphasizing the importance of unity.
In response to the backlash, Pochin clarified that her comments were misinterpreted and that she intended to highlight the advertising industry’s excessive emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She expressed regret for any offense caused and pledged to use more precise language in the future.
The controversy has sparked a debate about the representation of different demographics in advertising and the broader societal implications of such portrayals.