Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has called on Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, to issue an apology over accusations that his party faked its membership numbers. Farage has warned of potential “action” should Badenoch fail to meet his demands, intensifying a heated row between the two political figures.
The dispute erupted after Badenoch suggested that Reform UK’s membership tally, displayed on its website, was “coded to tick up automatically.” The claim came in response to Reform’s announcement that it had surpassed the Conservative Party’s membership numbers, sparking controversy during the festive season.
Allegations of fakery
Reform UK’s digital counter indicated a membership total exceeding 131,680—matching the figure reported by the Conservatives during their leadership election earlier in the year. Badenoch dismissed the counter as a deceptive tool, labelling it an example of “fakery” in a series of posts on the social media platform X.
“Farage doesn’t understand the digital age,” Badenoch wrote. “This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.”
Farage, however, has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement posted on X, he described Badenoch’s claims as “disgraceful” and demanded a public apology. “Reform UK has opened its systems to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, to ensure full transparency and verify our data,” he said.
Farage weighs his options
Despite speculation about potential legal action, Farage clarified that no specific steps had yet been decided. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said, “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. I will decide in the next couple of days what that is.”
He criticised Badenoch’s response as a “crazy conspiracy theory” and suggested her remarks were made in haste without proper advice. “She was probably at home, angry, and not thinking it through,” he added.
Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, echoed Farage’s sentiments, urging Badenoch to “do the right thing” and apologise. Tice also pointed out that while not every Reform UK member is eligible to vote in the UK, this distinction does not diminish the party’s growing support base.
Conservative response
Conservative sources have dismissed the controversy as a publicity stunt by Farage, with one insider suggesting that the former UKIP leader was “rattled” by scrutiny over his party’s claims. “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year,” the source added.
Badenoch has not publicly responded to Farage’s demand for an apology. However, she maintained in her Boxing Day posts that the Conservative Party has seen a surge in new members since the autumn leadership election.
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Musk’s influence on reform
As the row continues, Farage has turned his attention to bolstering Reform UK’s appeal among younger voters, citing his recent meeting with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk as a significant step forward. The two met earlier this month at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida resort owned by US President-elect Donald Trump.
Farage hailed Musk as a “bloody hero” and expressed hope that the billionaire’s endorsement could enhance Reform’s image. “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe—Elon makes us cool,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
Farage believes Musk’s influence will be pivotal in attracting the youth vote, which he sees as key to Reform’s success in the next general election. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote,” he stated. “The youth vote is the key.”
A festive fallout
The controversy has cast a shadow over the festive season for both parties, with tensions showing no signs of abating. While Farage prepares to decide on his next move, Badenoch’s remarks have left the Conservatives facing backlash from Reform supporters and MPs alike.
Whether the row ends with an apology or escalates into further action remains to be seen, but it has already underscored the fraught relationship between the two parties as they vie for political influence in an increasingly competitive landscape.
