A former reality television villain is preparing to launch a campaign for mayor of a major US city, drawing comparisons to the rise of populist figures on both sides of the Atlantic. British political analysts are sounding alarm bells, warning that the candidate’s playbook mirrors tactics used by populist leaders in the UK, from anti-establishment rhetoric to a mastery of social media outrage.
The candidate, known for his abrasive persona on a hit reality show, has framed his bid as a battle against a corrupt political elite. His platform includes slashing regulations, cutting taxes for the wealthy, and a hardline stance on immigration. While his proposals may seem tailored to a US audience, experts say the underlying message is a familiar one in Britain.
Dr. Helen Mathers, a political scientist at the University of Manchester, said the trend is not isolated to America. “We saw similar dynamics in the 2016 Brexit campaign and in the rise of figures like Nigel Farage. The appeal is the same: a charismatic figure who claims to speak for the ‘forgotten man’ against an out-of-touch establishment. It plays on economic anxiety and cultural resentment, regardless of the country.”
The candidate’s reality TV background is key. “He is a master of the quick soundbite and the provocative gesture,” said Dr. Mathers. “He doesn’t need policy details; he needs emotional reactions. That works in the age of Instagram and TikTok, where anger is currency.”
The parallels with recent British politics are stark. In 2021, a former reality TV contestant won a seat on a local council in England with a campaign built on similar anti-establishment anger. That candidate, who later defected to a populist party, used many of the same rhetorical devices: blaming immigrants, decrying “political correctness,” and promising to drain the swamp.
But there are differences. The US mayoral race is subject to different campaign finance laws, which can amplify the influence of wealthy donors. And the American electorate, while increasingly polarized, may be more receptive to the candidate’s brand of abrasive populism.
Labour unions in the UK are watching closely. “Working people here have been burned by populist promises before,” said Margaret Hanley, a regional union leader. “They pledged to bring back manufacturing jobs, but instead delivered tax cuts for billionaires. This US candidate is singing from the same hymn sheet. We need to warn our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic not to fall for it again.”
The candidate’s economic proposals are particularly concerning. He has vowed to gut environmental regulations and slash corporate taxes, promising a business boom. But critics point to the failures of similar policies in the UK. “The trickle-down economics they peddle has been tried and failed,” said Hanley. “It only enriches the few at the top, while ordinary families struggle with the cost of living.”
As the campaign unfolds, British analysts will be watching for the candidate’s ability to translate media fame into political power. “He is a master of distraction,” said Dr. Mathers. “He will say something outrageous, we will all debate it, and by the time we move on, he has already set the agenda. That is a dangerous skill in a democracy.”
The race is still in its early stages, but the implications are clear: the playbook of populism is global, and it works. Whether it succeeds in the US mayoral race remains to be seen, but the warning from Britain is that the cost of underestimating it is high.
