Phil Craig is a British citizen, and is a key figure in the Cape independence movement. In April 2020, Craig helped cofound the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, a non-profit advocacy organization.[1] Later in November 2023 Craig, along with others, cofounded the Referendum Party, of which he served the leader of until its merger into the Freedom Front Plus in March 2026. Craig holds permanent residency status in South Africa.[2] There have been calls within South Africa for Craig to be expelled from the country.[3]
Phil Craig | |
|---|---|
 Craig in 2023 | |
| Former leader of the Referendum Party | |
| In office 9 November 2023 – 25 March 2026 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Referendum Party (2023–2026) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | http://www.referendumparty.org/ |
Cape Independence Advocacy Group
editFollowing his emigration from the United Kingdom to South Africa in 2004, Craig co-founded in the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) in 2020.[4] Since 2020, the CIAG's primary function has been lobbying the Democratic Alliance and Alan Winde, the premier of the Western Cape, to facilitate a referendum on independence in the Western Cape. However, due to Winde's opposition to the process of a referendum,[5] along with the opposition of others like the mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis,[6] Craig more recently has advocated for a referendum on Cape independence to be held privately, using the 2014 Venetian independence referendum as a comparison.[7] In April 2025, Craig also led a delegation to the United States to lobby the American government on the issue of Cape independence.[8]
Referendum Party
editIn November 2023, Craig founded in the Referendum Party to contest in the 2024 general election, with the party advocating for self-determination, non-racialism, a referendum vote on independence, and positioning itself as an alternative to voters unsatisfied with the DA's opposition to a referendum vote. In 2024, the Referendum Party obtained 0.26% of the provincial vote in the Western Cape,[9] a result which Craig publicly considered to be disappointing but also attributed to the party being less than a year old. Since then, the Referendum Party has broadened in policy agenda in preparation for the 2026 municipal elections and the next general election.[10][11]
In March 2026 the party voted to merge into the Freedom Front Plus. [12]
References
edit- ↑ "Phil Craig". Mail & Guardian Thought Leader. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Maqhina, Mayibongwe (2025-12-29). "Home Affairs minister defends Phillip Craig's permanent residency amid Cape Independence controversy". IOL. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Johannes (2025-03-28). "Foreigners Establishing a Home in South Africa Must Respect Our Country or Leave". ActionSA. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Tembo, Theolin (30 December 2025). "Phil Craig defends his stance on Western Cape secession amid calls for his deportation". IOL. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Craig, Phil (27 March 2025). "PRESS STATEMENT: Phil Craig responds to calls for his deportation and denial of citizenship". Cape Independence Advocacy Group. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Geordin Hill-Lewis: Cape Independence, Helen Zille, Zuma, Cape Town, AirBnB, 'GNU', JP Smith, nomads". SMWX. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Why Should I Fund the CIAG?". Cape Independence Advocacy Group. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Fraser, Amy (20 March 2025). "Cape Independence Advocacy Group to lobby US for Western Cape secession". Eye Witness News. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Charles, Marvin (19 March 2025). "'Lack of legitimacy': Dirco slams Cape independence group's US trip to meet with officials". News24. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Referendum Party gears up for 2029". The Cape Independent. 25 October 2024. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ↑ "Our Policies". Referendum Party. 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Felix, Jason. "Referendum-party sluit hom by VF Plus aan te midde van afstigtingsdebat". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 26 March 2026.