Matt Goodwin's Controversial Academic Ties and Reform UK Candidacy

Matthew Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, has been scrutinized for his connections to organizations associated with discredited racist pseudoscience. Goodwin holds a visiting professorship at the University of Buckingham’s Centre for Heterodox Social Science (CHSS), which lists several controversial groups within its network, including Aporia Magazine. Aporia is linked to the Human Diversity Foundation (HDF), a rebranded version of the Pioneer Fund, which has historical ties to Nazi eugenics.

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Goodwin's academic trajectory has shifted from a liberal critic of the far-right to a nationalist populist. He has made statements suggesting that genetics will reveal "inherent differences between groups," a claim that contradicts mainstream genetic science, which asserts that discrete biological races do not exist. His endorsement of figures like Charles Murray, known for promoting the race-IQ thesis in his book *The Bell Curve*, raises questions about his stance on race and intelligence.

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Goodwin has faced backlash for his defense of controversial figures such as Noah Carl, who was dismissed from Cambridge University for producing what was deemed "poor scholarship" and collaborating with far-right extremists. Goodwin characterized the university's actions as "mob rule," indicating a resistance to the academic community's concerns regarding ethical research practices.

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A spokesperson for Reform UK defended Goodwin, stating, “It is standard for academics to hold fellowship positions at other institutions around the world.” They emphasized Goodwin's extensive experience and contributions to various academic discussions globally. However, critics argue that his associations with organizations promoting race science undermine the integrity of his candidacy.

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Goodwin's connections to the Free Speech Union, chaired by Toby Young—who has advocated for "progressive eugenics"—further complicate his political positioning. The intertwining of Goodwin's academic affiliations with far-right ideologies raises concerns about the potential influence on Reform UK's policies and the party's stance on race and immigration.

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While Goodwin has not publicly addressed the allegations surrounding his academic ties, the Reform UK spokesperson dismissed the claims as "desperate bordering on conspiratorial." This response highlights a divide between Goodwin's supporters and critics, with ongoing debates about the implications of his associations for the party's future.

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• “It takes more than a piece of paper to make somebody ‘British’,” — Matthew Goodwin

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• “mob rule… crushing free speech on campus” — Matthew Goodwin on Cambridge University’s decision regarding Noah Carl.

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• “These accusations are desperate bordering on conspiratorial by a discredited outlet attempting to derail a democratic election” — Reform UK spokesperson

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Goodwin's candidacy in the upcoming by-election is emblematic of broader tensions within UK politics regarding race, identity, and the influence of controversial ideologies in mainstream discourse.

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