As of January 24, 2025, the UK Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, has been actively involved in several notable developments:
Political Alliances and Speculations:
- Potential Conservative-Reform UK Collaboration: Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has suggested that the Conservative Party should consider forming a pact with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK to prevent a Labour victory in the next election. She emphasized that there isn’t sufficient space for both right-wing parties and proposed a merger, coalition, or pact.
- Nigel Farage’s Prime Ministerial Ambitions: Nigel Farage has claimed there is a 20-25% chance he could become Prime Minister before Donald Trump leaves office, indicating his aspirations for higher political office.
Party Dynamics and Leadership:
- Internal Resignations: On January 10, 2025, ten Reform UK councillors from Derbyshire resigned, citing concerns over the party being run in an “increasingly autocratic manner” since Farage’s return as leader. Farage responded by stating that these councillors had been put forward by a “rogue branch” and had not passed the vetting process.
Public Statements and Apologies:
- Call for Apology from Angela Rayner: Nigel Farage has called for an apology from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner after she accused him of spreading “fake news” about the Southport murders. Farage asserts that the guilty plea and sentencing of the attacker support his earlier claims suggesting potential terrorist links.
Membership and Public Perception:
- Membership Growth: Reform UK announced that they have reached 100,000 members, reflecting significant growth since the spring. The party now has five MPs and is polling around 20% in opinion polls, with Farage enjoying higher favorability ratings than other major political leaders.
These developments highlight Reform UK’s evolving position in British politics, marked by internal changes, strategic considerations, and efforts to influence public discourse.
