Reform UK

Two senior Reform UK aides, James Orr and Dan Jukes, resigned after an undercover sting by Verbatim, aired by Channel 4 News, alleged the party accepted a £32,500 donation from a US company to commission polls, violating British electoral law. The party denies wrongdoing, calling it a hoax. The Metropolitan Police and Electoral Commission are assessing the reports.

17 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 4, 11:01 PM UTC

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch carried out a major frontbench reshuffle, sacking former cabinet ministers Mel Stride and Priti Patel and appointing Andrew Griffith as shadow chancellor. Griffith was a key architect of Liz Truss's 2022 mini-budget, which caused economic turmoil. Tom Tugendhat became shadow foreign secretary. Critics accused Badenoch of "shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic" and promoting figures tied to past failures.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 1, 07:19 AM UTC

The Clacton by-election, triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation amid a probe into an undeclared £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire, pits the Reform UK leader against satirical candidate Count Binface. A poll shows 37% of voters prefer Binface over Farage’s 32%. Major parties declined to field candidates, making Binface the primary opposition. Farage is expected to win, but if found guilty by the standards watchdog, a recall petition could trigger another election.

35 reports · 9 sources · Updated Aug 19, 12:30 AM UTC

Vodafone has rejected demands from Reform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf to stop donating SIM cards to Care4Calais, a charity supporting asylum seekers in the UK. Yusuf warned Vodafone’s CEO and directors could face prison and government contract bans if Reform UK wins the next election, accusing the company of facilitating illegal entry. Vodafone defended the program, stating SIMs are restricted to UK use and distributed via registered charities regulated by the Charity Commission. Care4Calais also defended its work.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 13, 03:25 PM UTC

On August 3, 2026, Nigel Farage’s hard-right Reform UK party announced "Operation Fortress," a plan to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept and return migrant boats in the English Channel, calling it the largest military operation there since WWII. The French government rejected the plan as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Former Royal Navy officers and political rivals dismissed it as impractical and unworkable. The announcement comes amid scandals and falling poll numbers for Reform UK.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 8, 03:20 PM UTC

Labour candidate Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election triggered by Andy Burnham's move to become Prime Minister. Craig secured 66.3% of the final vote, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley. Turnout was a record low of 25.14%. The election, the first electoral test for Burnham's government, saw Labour retain control of the £3 billion budget authority, though with reduced public engagement.

15 reports · 6 sources · Updated Aug 8, 02:02 AM UTC

Reform UK reported Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski to the Metropolitan Police after he shared an Instagram post featuring a man wearing a T-shirt with a guillotine and the text "We're only making plans for Nigel," referencing Reform leader Nigel Farage. Polanski deleted the post, condemned the image, and called it an inadvertent mistake. Reform UK called it incitement to murder, citing the recent hammer murder of former Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe. Police are reviewing the incident. The controversy highlights tensions over political speech and free expression in the UK.

13 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 5, 11:51 AM UTC

On July 30, 2026, Greater Manchester will elect a new mayor following Andy Burnham's departure to become British Prime Minister. The article reports from Oldham, one of the most deprived areas in England, where residents express disillusionment with politics. Labour leads polls with 38-39%, but a new preferential voting system is expected to secure them over 60%. Reform UK and the Greens compete for second place. The piece highlights local regeneration projects, voter ID issues disenfranchising some residents, and the broader question of whether Labour can maintain its hold on the region.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 05:13 AM UTC

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, responded to mild criticism from celebrity chef José Andrés by calling him an 'asshole' on social media. The exchange began after Musk called Economist Editor-in-Chief Zanny Minton Beddoes 'a traitor to the West' following an interview where she questioned his affinity for far-right figures. Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, advised Musk to 'drink a glass of water before you tweet' and told him he sounded 'like a tyrant.' Musk's crude response drew widespread criticism online, with many users praising Andrés' humanitarian work and condemning Musk's behavior as immature and disappointing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:39 AM UTC

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, responded to mild criticism from chef José Andrés by calling him an 'asshole' on X (formerly Twitter). The exchange began after Musk called Economist editor Zanny Minton Beddoes a 'traitor to the West' following an interview where she questioned his affinity for far-right figures. Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, advised Musk to 'drink a glass of water before you tweet' and said he sounded like a tyrant. Musk's crude reply drew widespread backlash, with many users praising Andrés' humanitarian work and criticizing Musk's thin-skinned behavior. The article compares Musk's response to former President Donald Trump's style of insulting critics.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:39 AM UTC

Reform UK has lost its 16-month lead in UK voting intention polls just one week after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. A More in Common survey shows Labour at 28% (up 4 points), while Reform UK dropped to 24% (down 2 points), marking the first time since March 2025 that Reform has fallen to second place. The Conservatives remain at 22%, just two points behind Reform. The poll comes amid a flurry of cost-of-living-focused policy announcements from Burnham, including a £2 bus fare cap, a pledge to end rough sleeping, VAT cuts on energy bills, and a 20% business rate cut for pubs and venues. Nigel Farage, facing a Clacton by-election in August after resigning his seat, is also under scrutiny over a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne. Major parties have declined to field candidates against Farage, leaving only comedy candidate Count Binface as a serious rival.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:19 PM UTC

A new More in Common poll shows Labour has overtaken Reform UK in voting intentions for the first time in 16 months, just one week after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. Labour now stands at 28% (up 4 points), while Reform UK has dropped to 24% (down 2 points). The Conservatives remain at 22%, with Liberal Democrats at 12% and Greens at 8%. The poll comes after Burnham announced a series of cost-of-living focused policies including a £2 bus fare cap, a pledge to end rough sleeping, VAT cuts on energy bills, and a 20% business rate cut for pubs and venues. Reform leader Nigel Farage is preparing for a Clacton by-election in August, which major parties have dismissed as a stunt and declined to contest. Burnham has ruled out an early general election despite the positive polling. More in Common's UK Director Luke Tryl noted the early momentum but cautioned it is too soon to determine if the lead is sustainable.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:19 PM UTC

The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into donations made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business, a fundraising vehicle controlled by the party's deputy leader Richard Tice. Two donations of £250,000 each were made ahead of the 2024 general election. The money originated from donor Fiona Cottrell, mother of convicted criminal George Cottrell, who previously funded Nigel Farage's security. Reform UK's bank account was reportedly frozen during the election. The Met confirmed two people have been interviewed under caution for alleged offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Richard Tice dismissed the probe as a politically motivated smear campaign, while Labour accused Reform of repeated financial misconduct. The investigation follows separate controversies over a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage from a crypto billionaire.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 09:53 AM UTC

The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into donations made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business, a company controlled by the party's deputy leader Richard Tice. Two donations of £250,000 each were made ahead of the 2024 general election, funded by donor Fiona Cottrell, mother of convicted criminal George Cottrell. The Electoral Commission referred the case to police in February 2025, leading to two people being interviewed under caution. Reform UK's bank account was reportedly frozen during the election. Richard Tice dismissed the probe as a politically motivated smear campaign, while Labour accused Reform of repeated financial misconduct. The investigation concerns alleged offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 09:53 AM UTC

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has definitively ruled out calling an early general election, stating that voters do not want to return to the polls just two years after the last election. In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Burnham dismissed mounting speculation at Westminster that he might call a snap election to capitalize on Labour's improved poll ratings and secure his own five-year mandate. Burnham, who became Prime Minister just a week ago after returning to Parliament as MP for Makerfield, emphasized that 20 million people voted for a manifesto and that he intends to honor it within the framework of parliamentary democracy. He noted that he has already faced voters in his constituency during a by-election. Reform UK, whose poll lead has recently diminished, had been among the most vocal proponents of a fresh election. Burnham stressed that his priority is to focus on getting the country back on track rather than calling an early vote, which is not required until 2029.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 05:33 AM UTC

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has definitively ruled out calling an early general election, stating that voters do not want to return to the polls just two years after the last election. Speculation had been mounting at Westminster that Burnham, who became Prime Minister barely a month after returning to Parliament as MP for Makerfield, might call a snap election to capitalize on a bounce in Labour's polls and secure his own five-year mandate. Reform UK, whose poll lead has recently been slashed, had been leading calls for a fresh election. In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Burnham emphasized that 20 million people voted for a manifesto in a parliamentary democracy, and he intends to honor that mandate. He stated his priority is to focus on getting the country working again, rather than calling an early election.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 05:33 AM UTC

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is under investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog for failing to declare a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire and separate benefits from convicted criminal George Cottrell. Party spokesman Robert Jenrick defended Farage, insisting he will lead Reform into the next election and dismissing allegations as baseless. The controversies have sparked political debate and media scrutiny, though Reform UK continues to top opinion polls.

71 reports · 14 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:13 AM UTC

Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick has been accused of spreading disinformation after posting a doctored audio clip that misrepresented Labour MP Jo White's comments on immigration. Jenrick's tweet falsely claimed White said 'I don't care if we stop the boats' regarding asylum seekers crossing the English Channel. White, recently appointed immigration minister by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, released the full audio proving she actually said: 'My focus is to make sure that we stop those boats. I don't care who will stop the boats. My number one priority is to stop those boats.' White's husband and predecessor John Mann called Jenrick 'a liar and a fraud,' stating Jenrick knew the quote was fabricated for a year. Both Jenrick and Reform UK deleted the offending tweets. Jenrick has been contacted for comment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 07:35 AM UTC

Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick has been branded a 'liar and a fraud' after deleting a tweet that featured doctored audio misrepresenting Labour MP Jo White's comments on immigration. Jenrick falsely claimed White said 'I don't care if we stop the boats' at a public meeting. White, the newly appointed immigration minister under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, released the full audio proving she said: 'I don't care who will stop the boats. My number one priority is to stop those boats.' White's husband and predecessor, John Mann, accused Jenrick of knowingly spreading a fabricated quote for a year. Reform UK also deleted its version of the tweet. Jenrick has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 07:35 AM UTC

In this second part of a series on local government, former Boris Johnson policy adviser Amy Selman argues that the 2026 local elections were dominated by national issues rather than local concerns, contributing to voter fatigue and low turnout. She uses Barnsley as a case study, where Reform UK gained 42 council seats and Labour lost 37, with turnout at just 37.25%. Selman highlights that Labour voters defected to the Greens (22%) and Liberal Democrats (16%), while 6% switched to Reform. She notes that Liberal Democrat wins nationally occurred only where turnout exceeded 60%. Selman calls for better campaign basics, targeted research, and vigilance to re-engage voters, emphasizing that local issues like council tax and recycling are being overshadowed by national politics.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:00 PM UTC

Former British Conservative MP and prisons minister Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor Vale, Devon, on July 9, 2026. Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation and arrested a 26-year-old white British man on suspicion of murder. The killing is not believed to be terror-related or politically motivated. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other political leaders paid tribute, highlighting her distinctive political career and later reality TV appearances.

27 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:44 AM UTC

Reform UK Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick was caught on a hot mic calling his Good Morning Britain interview a 'waste of time' after being grilled about Nigel Farage's undeclared £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The interview, conducted by Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, focused on Farage's failure to declare the gift to parliament, which Farage claims was a personal security donation. Jenrick, a former Tory who defected to Reform, has been defending Farage for weeks. After the hot mic moment, co-host Ed Balls awkwardly responded, and Jenrick later doubled down on social media, criticizing Balls and promoting Reform's energy policy to cut bills by £200. The article also notes that Labour PM Andy Burnham announced plans to cut energy bills by £45 by removing VAT.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:28 AM UTC

This LabourList opinion piece analyzes reports that UK politician Andy Burnham is exploring mutualisation, cooperatives, and non-profit models for English water utilities, particularly Thames Water. The author argues that these terms describe distinct legal structures and should not be used interchangeably. While acknowledging that any shift away from privatisation would be a victory for campaigners, the piece criticises mutualisation as an insufficient solution. It notes that Welsh Water, a non-profit, still loses 41% of revenue to debt servicing. The author calls for Thames Water to enter Special Administration Regime (SAR) to stabilise finances and assess infrastructure before deciding on long-term ownership. The article warns that mutuals can be vulnerable to private equity takeover, citing the MyCSP example, and argues that public ownership remains the more proven model globally, with 90% of the world's water systems publicly owned.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:00 AM UTC

US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice, through its subsidiary OCS, has launched a £3.1bn takeover bid for Mitie, the operator of Britain's immigration removal centres. Mitie, a key Home Office contractor managing detention facilities and escorting detainees to removal flights, has agreed to the 221p-per-share offer. The merger would create one of Britain's largest private-sector employers and end Mitie's four-decade presence on the London Stock Exchange. The deal comes amid political promises of mass deportations from Reform UK and Labour's immigration crackdown. Mitie's immigration and justice division grew revenue by 10% to £319m in its latest financial year. The acquisition is expected to complete in early 2027, marking the 11th UK-listed company takeover worth over £1bn in 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 02:07 PM UTC

Labour has erased Reform UK's poll lead following Andy Burnham's ascension to party leader and Prime Minister, replacing Keir Starmer. A DeltaPoll survey conducted July 17-20, 2026, shows both Labour and Reform UK at 28%, with the Conservatives trailing at 18%. This marks an 8-point gain for Labour from a month earlier, while Reform's support has stalled amid questions about a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage from a crypto billionaire. Burnham chaired his first cabinet meeting, pledging a 'cost of living government' and announcing VAT cuts on electricity bills, a £2 bus fare cap, and a 20% cut in business rates for hospitality. A separate YouGov poll shows Reform's lead reduced to 2 points over the Tories, with Labour one point behind. Farage has called for an immediate general election, arguing Burnham lacks a mandate.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:19 PM UTC

Labour has erased Reform UK's poll lead following a surge in support under new leader Andy Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. A DeltaPoll survey conducted July 17-20, 2026, shows both Labour and Reform UK tied at 28%, with the Conservatives trailing at 18%. This marks a significant turnaround from a month earlier when Labour was 8 points behind Reform UK. The boost coincides with Burnham's first cabinet meeting, where he outlined a 'cost of living government' agenda, including cutting VAT on electricity bills (saving households ~£45/year), capping bus fares at £2, and reducing business rates for hospitality by 20%. Meanwhile, Reform UK's momentum has stalled as leader Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:19 PM UTC

Lord Ashcroft analyzes the downfall of former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, arguing it was due to avoidable mistakes rather than the country being ungovernable. He examines three arguments about governing challenges: maintaining coalitions while making painful decisions, voter impatience due to cost-of-living and media cycles, and unwillingness to accept tax-spending trade-offs. Ashcroft presents monthly survey data showing voters most noticed the winter fuel allowance means-testing, which dominated public perception despite being a small fiscal measure. He categorizes Starmer's actions into unforced errors, occupational hazards, achievements, and nothing noticed. The piece concludes that Starmer's premiership demonstrated bad governance, not an ungovernable UK, as Andy Burnham takes office.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 11:00 AM UTC

Lord Johnson, former investment minister, argues against Andy Burnham's proposal to renationalise Thames Water and increase public control of utilities. He warns that confiscating private assets would deter the foreign investment Britain needs for economic growth, citing IMF forecasts of just 1% growth in 2026. Johnson contrasts Burnham's plan with the success of 'Manchesterism', which he says was built on private capital and stable investment frameworks. He notes that since privatisation in 1989, water companies have invested over £236bn, with annual investment more than doubling from the nationalised era. Johnson criticises the idea that the state can run services effectively, pointing to failures in public infrastructure projects. He also warns that confiscation would harm international investors and UK pension funds heavily invested in the sector. He urges the new government to court, not chill, international investment to deliver regional prosperity.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:26 AM UTC

Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, has become UK Prime Minister after a smooth ascent, promising a consensual, place-based politics centered on devolution to neglected industrial communities. The article analyzes how economic decline in regions like Sheffield, Scunthorpe, and Port Talbot fuels support for populist right parties like Reform UK, drawing parallels to Trump in the US, AfD in Germany, and Le Pen in France. It highlights Greater Manchester's economic transformation as a model, crediting local leadership and tangible improvements like bus system reforms. The piece argues that economic recovery can cool political polarization, citing examples from Grand Rapids, Pittsburgh, and Duisburg. Burnham's premiership hinges on delivering for these communities to counter nationalist and anti-immigration sentiment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:25 PM UTC

Andy Burnham has become UK Prime Minister after a smooth ascent, promising to revive Britain's neglected industrial communities through devolution and place-based politics. The article analyzes how economic decline in regions like Sheffield, Scunthorpe, and Port Talbot fuels support for populist right parties like Reform UK, drawing parallels to Trump in the US, AfD in Germany, and Le Pen in France. It highlights Greater Manchester's successful transformation under Burnham's mayoralty as a model, emphasizing that local leadership and tangible improvements to public services can restore hope and reduce political polarization. The piece is based on research from the Heartlands Transformation Network and Brookings Institution.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:25 PM UTC