Though I’m doing the majority of my writing over on X at the moment, the fortunes of the Reform Party are something best reported here, if only for consistency.
This is just so bloody depressing. Starmer has his first “not terrible” week and goes up in the polls showing support for Labour is, incredibly, still there. Reform starts to tear itself apart and Pete is right about Trump. Most people in the UK don’t appreciate the good stuff he’s doing as they don’t like his style and bullying. Vance comes across as a poodle and let Starmer lie to him about free speech which was also very irritating. Where I disagree with Pete is the Homeland Party ain’t the answer, nor is SDP or the other fringe guys. It’s either Reform or Labour. I’m losing confidence that it could be Reform.
Agreed, it's not Reform, but we must not give up on Homeland, Reclaim or others. We need a change to the established order which is badly broken, maybe beyond repair.
How do you feel about Nigel and Reform today Alan after the ridiculous public treatment of Lowe? Do they look like a party capable of government to you? I won’t resign my membership yet but expect to see this spat patched up. I have low expectations parson the pun.
I'm keeping my powder dry. There was the incident with the MV Ruby dumping 300 tons of toxic fertiliser off Great Yarmouth and Lowe was livid with Mike Kane, department of Transport snd they may have had some hurty words between them and maybe some physical contact. Only based on what I've seen on TV of Rupert Lowe in the house and on GB News I'm skeptical as Rupert always seems calm certainly compared with Nigel. Farage has form with Ben Habib before this so let's see what unfolds. I'm staying a member they've got 4 years to sort it out.
We have a Reform constituency party meeting in two weeks which will be interesting. I’m not an officer, simply a member but hope this will be sorted out in that time. This should be easy. Farage is the leader. No question about that. But Lowe is a valued member as a very effective communicator and as you said the work he put in to investigate the fertiliser dump was exemplary as was his forensic questioning around the Pakistani rape gangs. Why would you want to lose someone with those skills when you only have five MPs to start with? I’m not giving them four years to sort this out I want it done next week. As a statement of intent Farage is overdue appointing a shadow front bench with spokesmen for the main offices of state. I don’t want to hear Farage being the Reform spokesman on every topic I want to see them being more than a one man band. Farage needs to grow some balls and a thicker skin and remember this is about saving our fucking country not his ego!!
Not having a go at you as your ideas are very sensible but I’m angry at how appallingly this has been dealt with. Oh and I don’t believe the allegations- too convenient. Cheers mate.
Yes with you on that, my next branch meeting is April 9th, I'll be making some noises.
We need to be professional and serious, communication downwards is very poor apart from asking me if I want to stand for parliament. As I'm 73, I'll let you answer that one !
Although I appreciate your concerns I am afraid the cheesed-off people of the country just aren't as analytical as you are regarding politics.
Simply put, Reform is the only alternative to Labour and the Conservative party and therefore can do no wrong.
I'd hate Lowe to fall by the wayside because of Farage's ego. He is the teeth of the party. The only one with bite. He should be the mouthpiece. Ben Habib was a huge loss to Reform, ousted for his valid criticism. Both he and Lowe would make great brave intelligent and reflective leaders.
I'd like to think Reform will read your article and start adding meat to its bones. Given the utterly pathetic Starmer has gone from zero to hero for promising Zelenskyy the earth, the old Harold Wilson adage rings true; a week is a long time in politics.
A lot can happen between now and the 2029 election. However the fact remains - if there were an election tomorrow Reform would win. Farage can afford to rest on his laurels for now but he must appreciate Lowe has become the shining light of the party.
If that means Lowe is in dangerous waters and has to watch his back, that is a dreadful reflection of Farage's ego and people will eventually wake up to what's going on.
Actually as it turns out a few hours is a long time in politics and Reform just offed themselves in public. They're not going to recover electorally from this.
I was aware soon after I wrote that the Rupert Lowe situation had escalated. He and Ben Habib were asking the pertinent questions. Habit has become a political commentator and the same fate may await Lowe. Reform will recover given they are the only established alternative to the Uniparty. However Lowe has been much admired for speaking out. All altruistic as well, given he hasn't become a politician for the money. He's a huge loss if bridges aren't mended.
That more and more people are questioning Farage’s leadership is interesting. There's talk of Habib, Lowe, Jenrick, Braverman and other centre right Conservatives coming together. We'll see, but no question that Reform will be weaker without Lowe.
I think we have to stick with Reform. Things will change. Being too extreme will not get votes. Nigel is trying the old ming vase thing. Stand up for his values but dont scare the horses. Regarding Zelensky he is spot on and most Brits dont want to pay for war. Starmer is playing soldiers to hide the economic mess and immigration debacle. His balloon will burst.
I do agree with much of your analysis. Looking at Cummings closely reasoned arguments circa 2023 about the realistic possibility of creating the missing party in British politics, it was always clear that it was never going to be Farages Reform. From UKIP onwards this important constituency of voters have been drawn to various personality cults from the ridiculous Kilroy-Silk to Farage and by definition this is not an easy consituency to grow and arouses impacable hostility from most other voters whatever their other unifying beliefs.
In order to save ourselves from the terminal disaster of a second Starmer term (which the current neo-jingoist madness has shown is a very real possibility), there needs to be a new force that attracts, like MAGA at its best, serious and substantial patriotic dissidents from the traditional parties. In some ways this is what Thatcher and Joseph did during the years 74 - 79 when they turned the tories for beaten laughing stock to a truly radical government by appealing to the working class. I used to think that eventually Tory MPs of talent or at least amibtion would eventually defect to Reform; now I think the best hope is a post Badenoch Tory party with a clear Starkeyite consitutional reform/doge agenda stealing their voters and their talent.
They key element that MAGA and Trump had, eventually in abundance, was and still is optimism. As the understandable despairing comments here and elsewhere show this is presently in short supply and the spectacle of serious opposition politicians bereft of ideas, middle-aged and fighting like the pointless caesars of late antiquity is the last thing we need.
Maybe? Jenrick takes charge of the Tories. The wets decamp to the Libs and Lowe becomes deputy leader. Cummings behind the scenes. Reform disappears. As does Labour.
Jenerick the Cameroon liberal masquerading as a conservative who told my youngster he didn't want to get into conversations about marriage and family because he didn't want to get invited in 'culture wars'. !!!! Since when has marriage and family been a culture war? The Tories in all their formats and all their leaders have never given a toss about young people. No bold policies for them since Sir Keith Joseph. Average age of a Tory voter 64 and gets 5% older every other GE. They're not a serious party and lack the capacity to see why and how much they're hated.
I was in UKIP for 10 years standing in various elections and was also briefly Office Manager in Birmingham.
When Nigel dumped UKIP, when the NEC finally stood up to him, there were more able people outside the party than in it. He never cared for the grass roots who got him elected and walking away from 'his' party was a serious act of betrayal.
Nigel is incapable of leading a team and should never be the leader of a political party. He only reluctantly stood to be UKIP's leader to ensure his gravy train life in Brussels was not interrupted by a leader of probity.
As I'm so often in the habit of saying "If you think Nigel Farage is the answer you are asking the wrong question!"
Lowe is correct but his main function in parliament is to give hope to voters who despair at progressive leftism run rampant. He articulates things in the House of Commons that people get behind. But Jenrick's been good as well of late and, unlike Reform, you sense there's going to be a policy behind his rhetoric. He seems to be growing into the role of Leader Apparent. If Reform don't get serious and start to actually have policies and core principles instead of a "contract" then Jenrick might overtake Lowe.
What Reform needs is... reform. Farage is a campaigner, he beats the drum well and can talk the talk, but as Pete observes here, he's unable to work with a group of people that have their own talents and strengths, he feels threatened. If Reform is to move beyond being a one-man band, Nigel either has to have the courage to let go of the reins somewhat and allow others to have their input, or move aside altogether - he can be the godfather of the party, the sage voice in the background and a campaigner, but there needs to be a strong front bench team that is able to take the fight to the Labour. I am loathe to put in any former Tories in there, but something has to give if the party is to actually be in a position to run as proper opposition. They should be forming their own shadow cabinet already, and getting into form of running the country, show the electorate that they are a serious outfit. Reform should also work on preparing a few thousand vetted names to parachute into civil service and key posts to begin taking the rot on, just as Trump did in his second run.
We are in a desparate situation. Mad Ed Miliband is wrecking the economy, mass immigration is wrecking the social fabric and the only popular alternative leader is incapable of leading a government.
In my view Reform are close to becoming a busted flush. If Nigel can put country before ego he should do the right thing and step away. If he doesn't then a new and viabble party will emerge within 12-18 months. This new entity will combine Farmers, freedom and the Together movements and will be very attractive to the disenfranchised. I anticipate Rupert, Andrew, Ben and Laurence to be integral components thereby lending it credibility.
Vindicated indeed. I'm still not sure if reform is a party, company or simply a personality cult, people are pinning too much hope on such a flimsy vessel .
This is just so bloody depressing. Starmer has his first “not terrible” week and goes up in the polls showing support for Labour is, incredibly, still there. Reform starts to tear itself apart and Pete is right about Trump. Most people in the UK don’t appreciate the good stuff he’s doing as they don’t like his style and bullying. Vance comes across as a poodle and let Starmer lie to him about free speech which was also very irritating. Where I disagree with Pete is the Homeland Party ain’t the answer, nor is SDP or the other fringe guys. It’s either Reform or Labour. I’m losing confidence that it could be Reform.
Agreed, it's not Reform, but we must not give up on Homeland, Reclaim or others. We need a change to the established order which is badly broken, maybe beyond repair.
There are still too many authoritarian racists and bully boys in Homeland. I think they outnumber the reasonable members.
What do you mean by racist please?
What do you mean by bully boy?
Thanks
By racist, going after Jews and people with too much melanin in their skin for their liking.
By bully boy, those who yell abuse and threats to me because I criticise Homeland.
It seems Homeland supporters, much like Reform supporters, can't take on board criticism. They always bristle and come back with insults.
Then you must be one of the other lot I called reasonable.
Pete as always a thoughtful piece, thanks.
I'm not as depressed as Martyr, if Reform is to be the answer it needs to be able to have a robust conversation.
I happen to side with the Ben Habib and Rupert Lowe wing on this.
However without Farage all of this would not have been possible.
He was a visionary and almost made us a sovereign nation again if it hadn't been for the Uniparty.
If Reform was a business he'd be made non-executive chairman and Lowe CEO.
That would work.
Agreed, but Reform is a business:
From Companies House re "REFORM 2025 LTD"
"Company type - Private company limited by guarantee without share capital
Incorporated on - 18 February 2025
2 Officers
FARAGE, Nigel Paul
YUSUF, Muhammad Ziauddin"
How do you feel about Nigel and Reform today Alan after the ridiculous public treatment of Lowe? Do they look like a party capable of government to you? I won’t resign my membership yet but expect to see this spat patched up. I have low expectations parson the pun.
Martyr,
I'm keeping my powder dry. There was the incident with the MV Ruby dumping 300 tons of toxic fertiliser off Great Yarmouth and Lowe was livid with Mike Kane, department of Transport snd they may have had some hurty words between them and maybe some physical contact. Only based on what I've seen on TV of Rupert Lowe in the house and on GB News I'm skeptical as Rupert always seems calm certainly compared with Nigel. Farage has form with Ben Habib before this so let's see what unfolds. I'm staying a member they've got 4 years to sort it out.
We have a Reform constituency party meeting in two weeks which will be interesting. I’m not an officer, simply a member but hope this will be sorted out in that time. This should be easy. Farage is the leader. No question about that. But Lowe is a valued member as a very effective communicator and as you said the work he put in to investigate the fertiliser dump was exemplary as was his forensic questioning around the Pakistani rape gangs. Why would you want to lose someone with those skills when you only have five MPs to start with? I’m not giving them four years to sort this out I want it done next week. As a statement of intent Farage is overdue appointing a shadow front bench with spokesmen for the main offices of state. I don’t want to hear Farage being the Reform spokesman on every topic I want to see them being more than a one man band. Farage needs to grow some balls and a thicker skin and remember this is about saving our fucking country not his ego!!
Not having a go at you as your ideas are very sensible but I’m angry at how appallingly this has been dealt with. Oh and I don’t believe the allegations- too convenient. Cheers mate.
Yes with you on that, my next branch meeting is April 9th, I'll be making some noises.
We need to be professional and serious, communication downwards is very poor apart from asking me if I want to stand for parliament. As I'm 73, I'll let you answer that one !
Anyone in the same party as Nigel can never risk being as popular as Nigel.
Although I appreciate your concerns I am afraid the cheesed-off people of the country just aren't as analytical as you are regarding politics.
Simply put, Reform is the only alternative to Labour and the Conservative party and therefore can do no wrong.
I'd hate Lowe to fall by the wayside because of Farage's ego. He is the teeth of the party. The only one with bite. He should be the mouthpiece. Ben Habib was a huge loss to Reform, ousted for his valid criticism. Both he and Lowe would make great brave intelligent and reflective leaders.
I'd like to think Reform will read your article and start adding meat to its bones. Given the utterly pathetic Starmer has gone from zero to hero for promising Zelenskyy the earth, the old Harold Wilson adage rings true; a week is a long time in politics.
A lot can happen between now and the 2029 election. However the fact remains - if there were an election tomorrow Reform would win. Farage can afford to rest on his laurels for now but he must appreciate Lowe has become the shining light of the party.
If that means Lowe is in dangerous waters and has to watch his back, that is a dreadful reflection of Farage's ego and people will eventually wake up to what's going on.
Actually as it turns out a few hours is a long time in politics and Reform just offed themselves in public. They're not going to recover electorally from this.
I was aware soon after I wrote that the Rupert Lowe situation had escalated. He and Ben Habib were asking the pertinent questions. Habit has become a political commentator and the same fate may await Lowe. Reform will recover given they are the only established alternative to the Uniparty. However Lowe has been much admired for speaking out. All altruistic as well, given he hasn't become a politician for the money. He's a huge loss if bridges aren't mended.
That more and more people are questioning Farage’s leadership is interesting. There's talk of Habib, Lowe, Jenrick, Braverman and other centre right Conservatives coming together. We'll see, but no question that Reform will be weaker without Lowe.
I agree with you 👍
I think we have to stick with Reform. Things will change. Being too extreme will not get votes. Nigel is trying the old ming vase thing. Stand up for his values but dont scare the horses. Regarding Zelensky he is spot on and most Brits dont want to pay for war. Starmer is playing soldiers to hide the economic mess and immigration debacle. His balloon will burst.
I do agree with much of your analysis. Looking at Cummings closely reasoned arguments circa 2023 about the realistic possibility of creating the missing party in British politics, it was always clear that it was never going to be Farages Reform. From UKIP onwards this important constituency of voters have been drawn to various personality cults from the ridiculous Kilroy-Silk to Farage and by definition this is not an easy consituency to grow and arouses impacable hostility from most other voters whatever their other unifying beliefs.
In order to save ourselves from the terminal disaster of a second Starmer term (which the current neo-jingoist madness has shown is a very real possibility), there needs to be a new force that attracts, like MAGA at its best, serious and substantial patriotic dissidents from the traditional parties. In some ways this is what Thatcher and Joseph did during the years 74 - 79 when they turned the tories for beaten laughing stock to a truly radical government by appealing to the working class. I used to think that eventually Tory MPs of talent or at least amibtion would eventually defect to Reform; now I think the best hope is a post Badenoch Tory party with a clear Starkeyite consitutional reform/doge agenda stealing their voters and their talent.
They key element that MAGA and Trump had, eventually in abundance, was and still is optimism. As the understandable despairing comments here and elsewhere show this is presently in short supply and the spectacle of serious opposition politicians bereft of ideas, middle-aged and fighting like the pointless caesars of late antiquity is the last thing we need.
Maybe? Jenrick takes charge of the Tories. The wets decamp to the Libs and Lowe becomes deputy leader. Cummings behind the scenes. Reform disappears. As does Labour.
Jenerick the Cameroon liberal masquerading as a conservative who told my youngster he didn't want to get into conversations about marriage and family because he didn't want to get invited in 'culture wars'. !!!! Since when has marriage and family been a culture war? The Tories in all their formats and all their leaders have never given a toss about young people. No bold policies for them since Sir Keith Joseph. Average age of a Tory voter 64 and gets 5% older every other GE. They're not a serious party and lack the capacity to see why and how much they're hated.
That’s the problem. If Reform starts to splinter, what’s left? A slightly better Tory party may be the least bad option.
I was in UKIP for 10 years standing in various elections and was also briefly Office Manager in Birmingham.
When Nigel dumped UKIP, when the NEC finally stood up to him, there were more able people outside the party than in it. He never cared for the grass roots who got him elected and walking away from 'his' party was a serious act of betrayal.
Nigel is incapable of leading a team and should never be the leader of a political party. He only reluctantly stood to be UKIP's leader to ensure his gravy train life in Brussels was not interrupted by a leader of probity.
As I'm so often in the habit of saying "If you think Nigel Farage is the answer you are asking the wrong question!"
Lowe is correct but his main function in parliament is to give hope to voters who despair at progressive leftism run rampant. He articulates things in the House of Commons that people get behind. But Jenrick's been good as well of late and, unlike Reform, you sense there's going to be a policy behind his rhetoric. He seems to be growing into the role of Leader Apparent. If Reform don't get serious and start to actually have policies and core principles instead of a "contract" then Jenrick might overtake Lowe.
What Reform needs is... reform. Farage is a campaigner, he beats the drum well and can talk the talk, but as Pete observes here, he's unable to work with a group of people that have their own talents and strengths, he feels threatened. If Reform is to move beyond being a one-man band, Nigel either has to have the courage to let go of the reins somewhat and allow others to have their input, or move aside altogether - he can be the godfather of the party, the sage voice in the background and a campaigner, but there needs to be a strong front bench team that is able to take the fight to the Labour. I am loathe to put in any former Tories in there, but something has to give if the party is to actually be in a position to run as proper opposition. They should be forming their own shadow cabinet already, and getting into form of running the country, show the electorate that they are a serious outfit. Reform should also work on preparing a few thousand vetted names to parachute into civil service and key posts to begin taking the rot on, just as Trump did in his second run.
As is now, there is little of that.
See Niall Warry's comment below.
Farage will not let go of the reins. That is not in his nature.
Reform, under Farage, is not the answer, sadly.
We are in a desparate situation. Mad Ed Miliband is wrecking the economy, mass immigration is wrecking the social fabric and the only popular alternative leader is incapable of leading a government.
Is there room for another right wing party in addition to Reform?
Tory left wing and Starmer Labour voters - the ‘Uniparty’ - have alienated themselves.
The ‘red wall’ Labour and traditional Tory supporters are looking elsewhere.
Perhaps a new party in addition to Reform but more to the ‘right’ could sweep up that support.
Reform is attracting support from dissatisfied Uniparty voters but grass routes Labour/Tories believe in more traditional answers.
A new party that upholds British values is viable - and will take votes away from Labour and Tories.
Reform will take up Uniparty voters as the traditional parties lose their attraction.
In my view Reform are close to becoming a busted flush. If Nigel can put country before ego he should do the right thing and step away. If he doesn't then a new and viabble party will emerge within 12-18 months. This new entity will combine Farmers, freedom and the Together movements and will be very attractive to the disenfranchised. I anticipate Rupert, Andrew, Ben and Laurence to be integral components thereby lending it credibility.
Reform on their own will go nowhere. We have to Unite the whole of the Patriots and freedom lovers and traditionalists against The ugly Liberal Left
So many activists have no home.
Ben Habib, Andrew Bridgen, Tommy Robertson, Kate Hopkins, Matt Goodwin, Dan Wooton, Lawrence Fox.
What organisation is going to replace Reform for voters?
Elon Musk is offering finances when a party emerges to represent the above.
The one good thing about Reforms disastrous actions - 4 years to organise a replacement. 🤞
LOWE need to execute Farage and get rid of him. Farage is a fraud and a Judas Goat (look that up).
I do not trust Farage; he is weak but devious. He is all mouth, but cant deliver a knock-out punch.
His best achievement was ‘getting rid of the Racist BNP” - that in the early 2000’s - the BNP were talking about GROOMING GANGS THEN””
Farage creating UKIP to take the steam out of Nationalism.
and then what did he do to UKIP?
Farage has no intention os even STOPPING IMMIGRATION
LET ALONE DESPRT THE CUNTS
WE NEED A POLITICIAN THAT HAS A DEPORTATION POLICY
NOT AN IMMIGRATION POLICY
🆘 UNDER FARAGE WE STILL GET GENOCIDED….ONLY SLOWER
Vindicated indeed. I'm still not sure if reform is a party, company or simply a personality cult, people are pinning too much hope on such a flimsy vessel .