Rowan Williams, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012, has leveled criticism against Nigel Farage regarding the politician's public references to Christianity. In recent commentary, Williams suggested that Farage utilizes Christian identity as a vehicle to foster anti-Muslim sentiment within the British electorate.

Williams, a prominent intellectual figure within the Church of England, expressed concern that such political framing misrepresents Christian values. He argued that Farage’s approach is designed to create a sense of cultural division, positioning Christianity as a defensive marker against Islam rather than focusing on the faith's core tenets of compassion or inclusivity. This critique highlights a growing tension between traditional religious leadership and populist political movements that frequently invoke national and religious heritage in their platforms.

Nigel Farage has not yet issued a direct, detailed rebuttal to Williams' specific claims, though his supporters often maintain that his rhetoric is intended to protect British cultural identity and traditional values. The disagreement centers on whether Farage’s frequent mentions of Christianity are a sincere expression of belief or a calculated political strategy to mobilize voters through identity-based grievances. While Williams views the strategy as divisive and harmful to interfaith relations, Farage’s camp typically frames such discourse as a necessary defense of Western civilization.