REFORM UK

➡️ Reform UK – Right-wing Political Party (Brexit Party)

Led by Nigel Farage, Reform UK gained traction at the 2024 General Election winning five seats, propelling them into parliament for the first time. The party came in third place with 14% of the vote, after the Conservatives, who came in second place, and the Labour victors.

In the 2025 local elections, Reform UK made significant gains, winning almost half of the contested seats in mainly Tory-held councils. They won control of their first-ever councils and their first mayoral contests.

Originally known as the Brexit Party, they changed their name in 2021 after Brexit had been completed to broaden their campaign platform. Campaign pledges in the 2024 election included:

• Freezing non-essential immigration

• Tax cuts for small businesses

• Scrapping net-zero climate targets and green subsidies

• Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights

Farage's 'contract with the people' was criticised by economists who state that his proposed tax cuts would cost the economy tens of billions of pounds, that the figures don't add up, and that many of the proposed cost-saving measures would save a lot less than suggested. Environmentalists were alarmed at the disregard for climate policy and for promoting climate misinformation.

Unlike other British political parties, Reform UK is a registered limited company. Farage is both the director and majority shareholder, giving him considerable control over party operations. This political business has been labelled a one-man dictatorship, especially given that there was no internal leadership election placing Farage at the helm.

The party has been under scrutiny for a series of scandals by a number of Reform candidates who have since been dropped. Members had links to the BNP, posted xenophobic material on social media, showed support for the Nazis, made sexist comments against women and their right to healthcare, praised Russian President Vladamir Putin, criticised the transgender community, accused pharmaceutical companies of manufacturing the coronavirus, and denied the existence of climate change.

Bizarrely, Reform's latest offering to counter rising energy costs is to actually add taxes to renewable energy companies, ban battery energy storage systems, and force new grid infrastructure to be buried underground. It remains unclear how this would reduce energy costs and left their policy credibility in serious doubt.

Despite the parties' many failings, their popularity has continued to grow, partly due to the public's discontent with the Labour and Conservative parties. A shocking poll from February 2025 revealed that Reform UK are now perceived as both stronger and more trustworthy than the Tories.

Who is Reform Leader Nigel Farage?

Nigel Farage was leader of the Independence Party (UKIP) from 2006 to 2009 and then from 2010 to 2016. Brexit Party was then launched in 2019 with Farage at the helm.

The right-wing, populist, and Eurosceptic leader was a significant player in advocating for the UK's exit from the European Union. His role in the Brexit referendum saw him labelled as 'the man who broke Britain'. Just hours after the Brexit result was confirmed, he admitted that one of their key pledges - £300 million extra for the NHS per week – was a mistake.

Farage's stance on immigration, national sovereignty, and the European Union are particularly controversial. In 2016, his party's anti-immigration poster 'Breaking Point' became the centre of much controversy, was compared to fascist propaganda, and was blamed for inciting racial hatred. He has also been heavily criticised for Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, and sexist remarks, as well as his well-documented support for Donald Trump. Present at Trump's inauguration, Farage has made sure to strengthen his alliance with the U.S. president, bolstering his own political relevance.

After Elon Musk firmly cemented his influence in U.S. politics, he started his campaign to weigh in on British and EU affairs. A recent meeting with Farage to discuss a substantial potential party donation ended in a disagreement over anti-Islam campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Musk has since withdrawn his support for the party insisting that they are in need of a new leader.

Farage's outspoken views have proved polarising, but he has found success due to the rising popularity of right-wing narratives. In his eighth attempt, in 2024, he finally won a seat in Britain's parliament, pledging (or threatening) to challenge the general election 'properly' in 2029.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 01.08.24 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 (Updated 18.06.25)

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