Nigel Farage has drawn parallels between Reform UK’s surge in the polls and Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the United States, as the party seeks to challenge the Conservatives in key constituencies. Speaking at a rally in North West Essex, held in the constituency of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Mr Farage declared that the Tories “should be bloody scared” of Reform’s growing support.
Reform’s rising popularity
The rally featured speeches from four of Reform’s five MPs and followed a heated dispute between Mr Farage and Mrs Badenoch over the party’s membership numbers during the Christmas period. The event came as polling data suggested that Reform UK had drawn level with—or even overtaken—the Conservatives.
A recent Techne UK poll placed Reform at 24%, ahead of the Conservatives on 23%, with Labour still leading on 26%. The results mark a significant shift in the political landscape, reinforcing Reform’s growing influence and potential to reshape the next general election.
On the party’s rise, Mr Farage told supporters:
“I think also we’re beginning to see a wave that is crossing the Atlantic from the east coast of America, where Donald Trump, standing on a platform many of whose policies were not dissimilar to what we put to the British people in that contract last July, has won this incredible victory and got off to the most amazing start.
“And even those people that don’t like him say, you know what? He gets things done.”
Comparisons to Trump and reform’s political ambitions
Mr Farage argued that the same sentiment is driving Reform’s momentum in the UK, adding:
“People look at us and say ‘like Trump these people will get things done’, and believe me, we will.
“This is not just going to be an earthquake in British politics. This is going to be the biggest historical political change this country has ever seen.”
His remarks highlight Reform’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a party of action, willing to disrupt the status quo in a manner similar to Trump’s approach in the United States.
Badenoch and Farage clash over membership numbers
In December, Mrs Badenoch publicly disputed Reform’s claims that its membership had surpassed that of the Conservative Party, accusing Mr Farage of “fakery.” Reform strongly denied the allegations and even considered legal action in response.
Addressing this controversy at the rally, Mr Farage dismissed the need for legal proceedings, stating:
“The next best thing was to come and visit and meet my fake members in the North West Essex constituency.”
“You don’t look very fake to me. You look very real, and I tell you what, the Opposition should be bloody scared of you.”
Challenges with candidate selection
Despite its growing support, Reform UK has faced challenges in vetting its candidates. Several individuals standing for the party have been dropped due to controversial remarks, including sexist comments and racial slurs. Mr Farage acknowledged these difficulties, admitting that candidate selection had been “probably quite near a catastrophe” in the past.
Badenoch dismisses reform as a ‘protest party’
Ahead of the rally, Mrs Badenoch downplayed Reform’s significance, branding it a “protest party” and insisting she was “not at all” concerned about its presence in her constituency.
Speaking on a visit to a farm in Cheshire, she argued that the focus should be on Labour’s farming policies rather than Reform’s growing popularity. When questioned about the latest polling figures, she responded:
“It’s not a surprise that at the moment protest parties are gaining in the polls.”
Disillusioned conservative voters turning to reform
The rally attracted a mix of Reform supporters, including former lifelong Conservative voters who now feel disillusioned with the party.
Alan Goldsmith, 85, told the PA News Agency:
“I’ve been voting Conservative all my life. I was born in this area, but I will never ever vote Conservative again because they’re idiots. Unbelievable idiots, and they still haven’t got it now.
“They still haven’t realised what’s wrong. They’re as thick as two short planks.”
His frustration reflects the broader dissatisfaction among traditional Conservative voters, many of whom feel that the party has failed to deliver on key promises.
Harrison Grose, 22, who plans to stand for Reform in Bishop’s Stortford West in the upcoming local elections, argued that the party appeals to younger voters seeking opportunity and accountability.
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“It’s about striving to achieve in life,” he said. “I don’t buy into this idea of socialism where everyone has to be the same. If you want to do well, you’ve got to get out of bed in the morning, put a shift in, and try to do as well as you can.”
He also criticised the Conservatives for repeatedly failing to act on their promises:
“Time and time again, voters have been told by the Conservatives, ‘We’re going to reduce mass migration. We’re going to do this. We’re going to do that. We’re going to lower taxes.’
“And I think it’s time that some of that gets done.”
The future of reform and the tory challenge
With Reform UK now polling neck and neck with the Conservatives, its influence on the next general election is becoming increasingly apparent. Whether the party can maintain its momentum and translate its support into electoral success remains to be seen.
However, if Mr Farage’s predictions hold true, Reform could be on course to fundamentally reshape British politics in a way not seen in decades.
