Internal Turmoil Plagues Reform UK
“There’s a palpable sense of catastrophe among activists and members. All the hard work and progress we’ve made seems to be unraveling before our eyes,” remarked a senior insider from Reform UK following the party’s decision to withdraw the whip from MP Rupert Lowe.
The suspension of Lowe, who is currently under police investigation due to allegations of making verbal threats, has plunged Nigel Farage’s party into its most significant crisis since its inception in 2018. The MP for Great Yarmouth staunchly denies these allegations and is contemplating the establishment of a rival party. An ally of Lowe indicated to The i Paper that a considerable number of disgruntled Reform members would likely follow him should he choose to break away.
‘We are not going to leave the battlefield’
Ben Habib, a former deputy leader of Reform who exited the party last November after a fallout with Farage, has engaged in discussions with Lowe about their next steps. He stated, “Rupert and I are committed to this cause because we believe the nation is in serious trouble. We refuse to step aside; our sense of duty compels us to fight on.”
Although tensions between Farage and Lowe had been simmering for some time, the situation escalated dramatically last week. On a Friday afternoon, Reform issued an astonishing statement announcing the appointment of an independent King’s Counsel to investigate allegations of “serious bullying” against staff by Lowe. The statement also accused him of making “threats of physical violence” towards party chairman Zia Yusuf, which the party has reported to the police.
Lowe quickly dismissed these claims as “untrue and false,” asserting that they are part of a “vexatious” campaign by Farage’s supporters aimed at discrediting him due to his recent public criticisms of Farage’s leadership.
Bad Timing for Reform
The internal strife comes at a precarious time for Reform. The party has seen a surge in poll numbers and is making strides towards enhancing its professionalism ahead of the upcoming general election, which it believes it can win. With local elections scheduled for May 1st—Reform’s first major electoral challenge since last summer’s general election—this turmoil is particularly ill-timed.
Current polling data presents mixed results regarding the impact of this infighting on the party’s standing, but many activists feel disheartened. A Reform insider, who opted to remain anonymous, conveyed to The i Paper: “We’ve made significant strides within a two-party system. The sudden collapse of this progress has left many feeling utterly disheartened. The party is attempting to downplay the situation as merely online chatter, but it’s crucial to recognize that most of our members and activists are active online.”
The insider also expressed concerns that this rift undermines Reform’s narrative as a viable government-in-waiting. “If you can’t maintain control over a parliamentary party of just four members—considering Nigel is one of those four—how can you expect to manage a party with over 300 members and 120 ministers?”
Concerns Over Female Voter Engagement
Furthermore, there are apprehensions that this public discord could alienate female voters, a demographic Reform is actively trying to attract. “We’ve made considerable progress in appealing to women. It’s easy to imagine that women who were beginning to consider us may now look at this chaos and think, ‘I don’t want to be part of a party where men are constantly throwing mud at each other.’ It’s definitely off-putting,” the insider noted.
They suggested that the “lack of female representation in the parliamentary party”—all five MPs elected last July are men—alongside “the absence of women in leadership roles at headquarters” may have contributed to the breakdown of relationships within the party’s predominantly male leadership.
The schism within Reform raises questions about Lowe’s future, with Farage asserting that there is “no way back” for him in the party. Currently, Lowe is cautious about his next move; a source close to the MP revealed he is focused on navigating through the police investigation and is consulting with attorneys regarding potential libel actions. Lowe has not dismissed the possibility of joining the Conservative Party, with indications that “very senior Tories” have approached him regarding recruitment.
A Potential Rival Party?
Alternatively, he may opt to form a right-wing populist party that would rival Reform—a scenario not entirely off the table for Lowe. Habib remarked to The i Paper: “If Rupert and I decide to take decisive action, we could quickly rally a significant following. We’re exploring all possibilities and are open to any option.”
Howard Cox, who ran for Reform in last year’s London mayoral election and left the party in January, has also been in contact with Lowe. He stated, “I’m collaborating closely with Ben. The idea of Rupert and Ben starting a new party is still in its infancy, but the potential is there.” Cox believes there’s a considerable number of disgruntled Reform members eager for a new insurgent party. “In the past month alone, I’ve received around 500 emails from individuals expressing their intent to leave the party,” he shared.
Rumors of External Funding
There have been speculations suggesting that Elon Musk might finance such a new venture. The billionaire has publicly praised Lowe on social media and indicated earlier this year that he believes Farage lacks the leadership qualities necessary for Reform.
However, Habib downplayed these rumors, stating, “I don’t foresee Rupert or myself actively seeking funding from overseas. If it happens, that’s great, but it’s not our primary focus.” A source within Reform expressed a sense of calm regarding the potential formation of any alternative group, pointing out that other right-wing populist parties, such as the Reclaim Party launched by Laurence Fox, have received substantial funding yet have struggled to make any notable electoral gains.
Underlying Issues in Party Control
Habib emphasized that the rift with Farage was inevitable, attributing it to Farage’s “narcissistic nature and his unwillingness to allow anyone else in the party to gain prominence.” He remarked, “They can only rise to a certain point, and if they start to eclipse him, it’s curtains for them.” Habib left Reform after clashing with Farage over the latter’s control of the party. “Had Reform democratized its structure, Nigel would have been kept in check, but they did not take that step. The reality is that the party is dominated by Nigel and Zia Yusuf.”
Farage’s Shift Towards the Center
Habib claimed that another underlying issue contributing to the rift between Farage and Lowe is that “Nigel is pivoting towards the center ground in an attempt to attract a wider voter base.” He noted that Lowe, being an ideologue, was always destined to clash with a leader who is more politically expedient. “Nigel controls the party, so it was inevitable that Rupert would have to go, just as I did,” he added.
Reform UK has maintained that the actions taken against Lowe are not part of any hidden political agenda. A party spokesperson stated that Reform is limited in what it can disclose while the police investigation and the King’s Counsel inquiry are ongoing. However, some analysts interpret Lowe’s ousting as part of Farage’s broader strategy to professionalize Reform.
Contentious Views on Tommy Robinson
One contentious issue has been the remarks regarding Tommy Robinson, the far-right activist currently imprisoned for contempt of court. Farage has made clear efforts to distance himself from Robinson. In contrast, Lowe previously stated that while Robinson was “not suitable for Reform,” he deserved “credit” for bringing attention to child-grooming gangs. Cox, who departed from Reform after receiving warnings about his comments on Robinson, stated, “Robinson has highlighted the issue of child-rape gangs across the nation.” He even drew an analogy with Nelson Mandela, asserting, “Mandela was once viewed as a terrorist, but he became revered. We should acknowledge the impact Robinson has made in his own way.”
Cox further revealed that he had visited Robinson in prison, stating, “I wanted to engage with him. I spent two hours with him, and I find him to be an inspirational figure.”
Opponents Relishing Reform’s Internal Conflict
Reform’s rivals are seizing upon the party’s internal conflict with enthusiasm. One Labour MP described the situation as “delicious,” while a source from No 10 expressed regret that such infighting has occurred so far ahead of the next general election, quipping, “This implosion has come 18 months too early.” Another Labour MP expressed hope that the turmoil would aid Labour in retaining the Runcorn and Helsby seat, which is due for a by-election following Mike Amesbury’s resignation due to a conviction for assaulting a constituent. “This chaos might just allow us to hold onto Runcorn,” the Labour MP commented.
The Conservatives are also reveling in Reform’s self-inflicted wounds. Last week, shadow home secretary Chris Philp took to social media to assert that Reform is “hopelessly divided—even with a parliamentary party small enough to fit in the back of a London black cab.” The Tories have also noted that they have achieved nearly double the number of local by-election gains compared to Reform since the last general election.
Grassroots Challenges for Reform
The suspension of Rupert Lowe has coincided with various local upheavals within Reform UK. Following Lowe’s withdrawal of the whip, the executive committee of the local party branch resigned in solidarity with him. His commitment to donating his MP salary to various charities in Great Yarmouth has garnered local admiration and reportedly irked some neighboring MPs, who have faced inquiries from constituents as to why they do not follow suit.
A social media post circulated claiming to be from the Stafford branch, alleging that the local chair and officers had been dismissed by the central party. In response, Pete Durnell, Reform’s West Midlands regional director, clarified, “We have seen a post from a Facebook page claiming to represent Reform UK Stafford. We want to clarify that this is not an official party profile, and the information contained within the post is inaccurate and designed to create discord within the party. The Stafford branch remains operational, with a new interim branch chair recently appointed, and we anticipate participating in May’s local elections with candidates across Staffordshire county.”
Some of Reform’s opponents assert that these are not the only issues the party is facing at the grassroots level, suggesting that Reform has significant work to do in organizing effective campaigning efforts. A Labour MP stated, “There’s no evidence of them engaging in door-to-door campaigning. They hold public meetings and have a limited social media presence, but they’re not reaching constituents directly like we are.”
Another Labour MP remarked that while Reform might secure victories in parliamentary by-elections, they question whether the party is “organisationally capable at this stage” of winning a substantial number of seats nationwide. In terms of fundraising, the latest figures from the Electoral Commission reveal that Conservative fundraising has significantly outpaced Reform, with the Tories raising nearly £2 million in the last three months of 2024, while Reform only managed to garner £280,000.
