Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister, deleted a video after telling schoolchildren that Reform UK would end free NHS treatment, causing controversy and accusations of unlawful political campaigning in schools. The footage, recorded during a school visit, showed Rayner stating that Reform UK intended to introduce insurance-style NHS charges, which misrepresented the party’s official policy.
This incident occurred amid heightened political tensions around the NHS in the Ashton-under-Lyne area following recent local elections.
The video quickly spread on social media before Rayner removed it, but not before prompting backlash over misleading children and potentially breaching education laws that require political neutrality in schools. Rayner said her premature son might not have survived under an insurance system, calling the idea “really dangerous,” despite Reform UK’s clear position that NHS care would remain free at the point of use.
Reform UK’s official policy focuses on maintaining free NHS services while using private sector resources to reduce waiting times, not introducing patient charges or insurance payments. Independent fact-checkers such as Full Fact have debunked Labour’s repeated claims that Reform UK plans to scrap the NHS or impose mandatory payments, describing these as exaggerations beyond the party’s stated policy.
Legal experts highlighted possible violations of Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996, which prohibit political campaigning in maintained schools and require balanced viewpoints when political issues are discussed. Commentator Adrian Hilton called the video a clear breach due to its one-sided, anti-Reform messaging without presenting opposing views, especially as Rayner used the footage online as campaign material.
Although Rayner deleted the video, copies continue to circulate and critics accuse her of deliberately scaremongering schoolchildren. Supporters argue her comments reflect genuine concerns about Reform UK’s future plans and political statements. This event comes as Labour works to defend Rayner’s Ashton-under-Lyne seat, focusing heavily on NHS issues following Reform UK’s strong performance in local elections.
Originally published by UKNIP.
