‘Pessimist patriots’: hard-right Reform UK widens appeal
By AFP
September 6, 2025
Farage believes he can be Britain's next prime minister
Joe JACKSON
Joanne Woodhouse and Henry Godwin live at opposite ends of England and used to sit on opposite sides of the political fence — until both decamped to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Woodhouse, a one-time Labour voter in northwest England, and Godwin, a former Tory (Conservative) based near London, were among those at the hard-right party’s annual conference Saturday, as it celebrated its surging popularity.
The middle-aged pair appeared typical examples of anti-immigration Reform’s ability to draw disaffected voters from both its right-wing Conservative rival and centre-left Labour, as it builds on an unprecedented performance in local elections in May.
“I want to see a big change,” Woodhouse, an independent local elected official in Merseyside who joined Reform two months ago, told AFP at the two-day event in Birmingham, central England.
The 57-year-old voted for Brexit in 2016 because she “wanted our borders to be closed” and backs Reform “to protect our community, our traditions”.
“I’m totally disappointed by Labour — disappointed by everything they are doing. People are struggling.”
Godwin, 52, a free speech advocate most concerned by perceived curbs on freedom of expression, signed up for Reform after Labour won power 14 months ago, following 14 years of Conservative rule.
“The Tories in my mind have completely lost their way… they’ve lost their conservativeness,” he said.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one party to vote for, and that’s Reform.”
– ‘Vast disillusionment’ –
Reform’s growing appeal mirrors advances by far-right parties across Europe and US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement in the United States, but at breakneck speed.
Reform won 14 percent of the vote in the 2024 general election, netting it five MPs under Britain’s first-past-the-post election system, which has long suited the two established parties.
It has since trebled its membership to over 240,000, seized control of 12 local authorities across England in May and led in all national polls over recent months.
Late-August fieldwork by conservative pollster James Johnson unveiled at Reform’s conference showed it on 32 percent support, 10 points ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour.
The surveys indicated immigration and patriotism were key to its appeal, with almost half of supporters classed as “pessimist patriots” — typically older, non-graduates who backed Brexit and oppose climate change mitigation policies.
They were uniformly downbeat about the country’s trajectory.
Crucially, according to Johnson, there are plenty more such voters still unclaimed by Reform ahead of the next election, not due until 2029.
“It’s very rare in politics to have… voters that you need to win looking a bit like your existing base — that’s a great place to be,” he told AFP.
“They’re flocking to Reform because they basically feel they have no other option,” he added, citing “vast disillusionment” and “vast lack of trust” in the long-established parties.
While acknowledging “four years of being a frontrunner is tough,” Johnson could see Reform attaining a 35 percent share of the vote at the next election.
“If they’re in a two-party system, that wouldn’t be enough. But they’re in a fractured system, and that will get them a stonking majority.”
– ‘Hope’ –
For many Reform converts, the appeal of ever-present Eurosceptic Farage, a longtime ally of Trump, appeared as important as key policy issues like immigration.
Amelia Randall, a Reform councillor in Kent, southeast England, where the party won control four months ago, believed Farage had “a very good chance to be the next prime minister”.
“The spirit is rising a lot inside the party,” she told AFP as its leader addressed the conference Friday.
Like Johnson’s research, new polling by More in Common found the party’s base was becoming increasingly mainstream, with the number of female Reform supporters fast catching up with men.
“He’s giving us hope,” retiree Karen Dixon told AFP of Farage.
She became a party member nine months ago after growing up in a Labour-voting family and later siding with the Conservatives.
“I didn’t want to vote anymore,” she said.
Some younger voters also appeared attracted by Reform, though not yet in the numbers Labour typically draws, according to pollsters.
“He definitely shows leadership, that’s what I’m getting,” student Marcus Ware said after becoming a “young member” and turning up to hear Farage speak.
“I don’t see why young people can’t be interested in this.”
He said he liked Reform’s low-tax message, though noted concerns that its tax-and-spend numbers at the last election did not “add up”.
He dismissed criticism that the party’s hard-right agenda was divisive.
“The label of being divisive and too extreme is very subjective,” he said.
By AFP
September 6, 2025
Farage believes he can be Britain's next prime minister
- Copyright AFP Oli SCARFF
Joe JACKSON
Joanne Woodhouse and Henry Godwin live at opposite ends of England and used to sit on opposite sides of the political fence — until both decamped to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Woodhouse, a one-time Labour voter in northwest England, and Godwin, a former Tory (Conservative) based near London, were among those at the hard-right party’s annual conference Saturday, as it celebrated its surging popularity.
The middle-aged pair appeared typical examples of anti-immigration Reform’s ability to draw disaffected voters from both its right-wing Conservative rival and centre-left Labour, as it builds on an unprecedented performance in local elections in May.
“I want to see a big change,” Woodhouse, an independent local elected official in Merseyside who joined Reform two months ago, told AFP at the two-day event in Birmingham, central England.
The 57-year-old voted for Brexit in 2016 because she “wanted our borders to be closed” and backs Reform “to protect our community, our traditions”.
“I’m totally disappointed by Labour — disappointed by everything they are doing. People are struggling.”
Godwin, 52, a free speech advocate most concerned by perceived curbs on freedom of expression, signed up for Reform after Labour won power 14 months ago, following 14 years of Conservative rule.
“The Tories in my mind have completely lost their way… they’ve lost their conservativeness,” he said.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one party to vote for, and that’s Reform.”
– ‘Vast disillusionment’ –
Reform’s growing appeal mirrors advances by far-right parties across Europe and US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement in the United States, but at breakneck speed.
Reform won 14 percent of the vote in the 2024 general election, netting it five MPs under Britain’s first-past-the-post election system, which has long suited the two established parties.
It has since trebled its membership to over 240,000, seized control of 12 local authorities across England in May and led in all national polls over recent months.
Late-August fieldwork by conservative pollster James Johnson unveiled at Reform’s conference showed it on 32 percent support, 10 points ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour.
The surveys indicated immigration and patriotism were key to its appeal, with almost half of supporters classed as “pessimist patriots” — typically older, non-graduates who backed Brexit and oppose climate change mitigation policies.
They were uniformly downbeat about the country’s trajectory.
Crucially, according to Johnson, there are plenty more such voters still unclaimed by Reform ahead of the next election, not due until 2029.
“It’s very rare in politics to have… voters that you need to win looking a bit like your existing base — that’s a great place to be,” he told AFP.
“They’re flocking to Reform because they basically feel they have no other option,” he added, citing “vast disillusionment” and “vast lack of trust” in the long-established parties.
While acknowledging “four years of being a frontrunner is tough,” Johnson could see Reform attaining a 35 percent share of the vote at the next election.
“If they’re in a two-party system, that wouldn’t be enough. But they’re in a fractured system, and that will get them a stonking majority.”
– ‘Hope’ –
For many Reform converts, the appeal of ever-present Eurosceptic Farage, a longtime ally of Trump, appeared as important as key policy issues like immigration.
Amelia Randall, a Reform councillor in Kent, southeast England, where the party won control four months ago, believed Farage had “a very good chance to be the next prime minister”.
“The spirit is rising a lot inside the party,” she told AFP as its leader addressed the conference Friday.
Like Johnson’s research, new polling by More in Common found the party’s base was becoming increasingly mainstream, with the number of female Reform supporters fast catching up with men.
“He’s giving us hope,” retiree Karen Dixon told AFP of Farage.
She became a party member nine months ago after growing up in a Labour-voting family and later siding with the Conservatives.
“I didn’t want to vote anymore,” she said.
Some younger voters also appeared attracted by Reform, though not yet in the numbers Labour typically draws, according to pollsters.
“He definitely shows leadership, that’s what I’m getting,” student Marcus Ware said after becoming a “young member” and turning up to hear Farage speak.
“I don’t see why young people can’t be interested in this.”
He said he liked Reform’s low-tax message, though noted concerns that its tax-and-spend numbers at the last election did not “add up”.
He dismissed criticism that the party’s hard-right agenda was divisive.
“The label of being divisive and too extreme is very subjective,” he said.
Nigel Farage branded a ‘Trump sycophant’ and ‘fringe party leader’ during US congress visit
4 September, 2025
Left Foot Forward
Farage was grilled on his support for MAGA and why ReformUK bans journalists from its events
Nigel Farage was grilled by Democrat politicians over his support for Donald Trump and Reform’s banning of journalists during a visit to the US Congress yesterday.
Farage skipped PMQs to give evidence on freedom of speech at the US House Judiciary Committee.
Democratic representative Hank Johnson questioned Farage on his regular appearances at Make America Great Again (MAGA) rallies, accusing him of trying to “ingratiate himself” with tech billionaires so he can become prime minister.
The congressman asked Farage to confirm his party has four MPs. Johnson then said: “So you are indeed the leader of a fringe party. As a fringe party leader seeking to run for prime minister of Great Britain, you need a lot of money in order to blow up like the Maga (Make America Great Again) movement has blown up.”
“You need money from Elon Musk in order to get elected prime minister of Great Britain, that’s the bottom line,” he added.
He also said to Farage: “You’re trying to ingratiate yourself with the tech bros by coming over here.”
Johnson also accused Farage of advocating for the UK to pay tariffs if tech companies are not allowed to violate British laws.
Farage called the Online Safety Act “a danger” to trade between the US and the UK and said he hoped American companies and politicians have honest conversations with the British government about the legislation. He said he has not suggested sanctions.
Congressman Jamie Raskin asked Farage why Reform bans journalists who oppose his party’s views. Farage claimed “I am the most open person to any journalist”.
“Undoubtedly, you’re the most handsome person in the world, but that’s not my question. My question is why do you ban journalists you disagree with from your political events, like from your convention?,” Raskin added.
Farage denied any recollection of having banned media organisations from Reform conference or other events. “If I go back the last 25 years, I can’t think of banning anybody. But I mean, maybe somebody else did,” he said.
Last September, Byline Times and investigative climate outlet were banned from attending Reform conference, as well as ex-Guardian journalist Carole Cadwalladr.
In a statement to the British public, Raskin said: “To the people of the UK who think this Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant will protect freedom in this country: come on over to America and see what Trump and Maga are doing to destroy our freedom […] and turn the government into a money-making machine for Trump and his family. You might … think twice before you let Mr Farage make Britain great again.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
Farage was grilled on his support for MAGA and why ReformUK bans journalists from its events
Nigel Farage was grilled by Democrat politicians over his support for Donald Trump and Reform’s banning of journalists during a visit to the US Congress yesterday.
Farage skipped PMQs to give evidence on freedom of speech at the US House Judiciary Committee.
Democratic representative Hank Johnson questioned Farage on his regular appearances at Make America Great Again (MAGA) rallies, accusing him of trying to “ingratiate himself” with tech billionaires so he can become prime minister.
The congressman asked Farage to confirm his party has four MPs. Johnson then said: “So you are indeed the leader of a fringe party. As a fringe party leader seeking to run for prime minister of Great Britain, you need a lot of money in order to blow up like the Maga (Make America Great Again) movement has blown up.”
“You need money from Elon Musk in order to get elected prime minister of Great Britain, that’s the bottom line,” he added.
He also said to Farage: “You’re trying to ingratiate yourself with the tech bros by coming over here.”
Johnson also accused Farage of advocating for the UK to pay tariffs if tech companies are not allowed to violate British laws.
Farage called the Online Safety Act “a danger” to trade between the US and the UK and said he hoped American companies and politicians have honest conversations with the British government about the legislation. He said he has not suggested sanctions.
Congressman Jamie Raskin asked Farage why Reform bans journalists who oppose his party’s views. Farage claimed “I am the most open person to any journalist”.
“Undoubtedly, you’re the most handsome person in the world, but that’s not my question. My question is why do you ban journalists you disagree with from your political events, like from your convention?,” Raskin added.
Farage denied any recollection of having banned media organisations from Reform conference or other events. “If I go back the last 25 years, I can’t think of banning anybody. But I mean, maybe somebody else did,” he said.
Last September, Byline Times and investigative climate outlet were banned from attending Reform conference, as well as ex-Guardian journalist Carole Cadwalladr.
In a statement to the British public, Raskin said: “To the people of the UK who think this Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant will protect freedom in this country: come on over to America and see what Trump and Maga are doing to destroy our freedom […] and turn the government into a money-making machine for Trump and his family. You might … think twice before you let Mr Farage make Britain great again.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
4 September, 2025
One can only dream of sections of the right-wing press in the UK holding Farage to account in the same way.
A US congressman is being praised for taking apart Nigel Farage is a blistering speech, in which he highlighted the Reform UK leader’s hypocrisy over free speech and his cosying up to dictators and autocrats.
Rather than return to Parliament after the summer recess, Farage decided to once more jet off to the U.S. where he not only rubbed shoulders with Trump loyalists but also to attend a Congressional inquiry into freedom of speech, where he falsely claimed that freedom of speech is under attack in the UK.
As part of evidence given to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Farage said: “On the question of civil liberties, Britain has, unfortunately, now lost her way.
“I will do my part, as a participant in UK democracy, to help our country find its way back to the traditional freedoms which have long bound together our two countries in friendship.”
However, one Congressman was having none of it. Jamie Raskin, the U.S. representative for Maryland’s 8th congressional district since 2017, slammed Farage as a “Putin-loving free speech imposter”.
In a blistering speech, Mr Raskin said: “To the people of the UK who think this Putin-loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant will protect freedom in your country, come on over to America and see what Trump and Maga are doing to destroy our freedom … You might think twice before you let Mr Farage ‘make Britain great again’.”
He also told Farage there is ‘no free speech crisis in Britain’, and added: “UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not shutdown GB News where Mr Farage has his own show, just because Mr Farage has used his airtime to call for banning peaceful protests that he disagrees with, no one has stopped him from going on Russian TV, 17 times and saying that the one world political leader he most admired is Vladimir Putin, even though Putin is a war criminal and dictator.”
One can only dream of sections of the right-wing press in the UK holding Farage to account in the same way. Indeed, in just over two minutes, a US congressman has done more to expose Nigel Farage’s hypocrisy on free speech and his love of autocrats and dictators like Putin, than sections of the press in the UK have for decades.
British-American journalist and commentator Mehdi Hasan posted on X: “I have spent years saying I wished the US were more like the UK when it comes to tough interviews, but here’s a turning of the tables: @jamie_raskin grilling @Nigel_Farage in a way the UK media rarely does.”
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
Nigel Farage skips Parliament to go to hard-right US conference but misses speaking slot
Nigel Farage goes to America to complain about a lack of free speech in UK, while Reform bans journalists at home
So much for Reform’s tolerance of free speech.
TweetShareWhatsAppMail
You couldn’t make it up! Nigel Farage is once more being accused of breathtaking hypocrisy, after he jetted off to the U.S. once again, missing the opening of Parliament, to complain about a ‘lack of free speech’ in the UK, while his own party bans journalists at home.
As well as speaking alongside Trump loyalists, Farage will also attend a Congress inquiry into freedom of speech, where he will falsely claim that freedom of speech is under attack in the UK. He is expected to raise the case of Lucy Connolly, the Tory councillor jailed for a tweet calling for asylum hotels to be set on fire, as an example of how free speech is being hampered in the UK.
Of course, it doesn’t matter to Farage that Connolly was jailed after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred.
As part of evidence given to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Farage said: “On the question of civil liberties, Britain has, unfortunately, now lost her way.
“I will do my part, as a participant in UK democracy, to help our country find its way back to the traditional freedoms which have long bound together our two countries in friendship.”
However, Farage’s hypocrisy really is quite something, especially since Reform’s own politicians in the UK are banning journalists from speaking to them.
Last week, a Reform UK council leader’s decision to ban his councillors from engaging with a prominent local newspaper just because he didn’t like what was reported was slammed as a “massive attack on local democracy”.
Nottinghamshire county council, which is run by Reform, said it would no longer deal with the Nottingham Post, its online edition and a team of BBC-funded local democracy journalists that it manages, after they didn’t like a story about plans for a local government restructure.
So much for Reform’s tolerance of free speech.
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
Olivia Barber
Nigel Farage skipped the start of the first week back in Parliament to attend a hard-right conference in the US, only to miss his speaking slot due to “transport issues”.
Farage was supposed to give a speech at the National Conservatism conference yesterday, but was a no show due to arriving in Washington DC too late.
According to The Mirror, Farage was scheduled to speak about “getting mass deportations done”, alongside Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence Tusli Gabbard and his former advisor Steve Bannon.
The ex-MP for Clacton and co-founder of Vote Leave, Douglas Carswell, who now lives in the US, was present at the hard-right event.
Hedge fund manager and Republican donor Tom Klingenstein filled in for Farage, giving a speech about “white guilt”, which he argued was “the problem of our time”.
Today, Farage will miss PMQs to give evidence at the US Congress’ Judiciary Committee, as part of its investigation into “Europe’s threat to American Speech and Innovation”.
The Reform leader is expected to speak to the committee about the case of Lucy Connolly, who was jailed after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred against asylum seekers, as evidence of supposed threats to freedom of expression in the UK.
Connolly called for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire.
Farage also said he will speak about Graham Linehan, who was arrested yesterday on suspicion of inciting violence on social media, after sharing his views on trans rights.
While Farage speaks about the importance of free speech in the US, back in the UK a Reform-led council has banned journalists from reporting on its activities.
Deputy leader of Reform Richard Tice and Lee Anderson have spoken in support of Nottinghamshire County Council’s decision.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
Nigel Farage skipped the start of the first week back in Parliament to attend a hard-right conference in the US, only to miss his speaking slot due to “transport issues”.
Farage was supposed to give a speech at the National Conservatism conference yesterday, but was a no show due to arriving in Washington DC too late.
According to The Mirror, Farage was scheduled to speak about “getting mass deportations done”, alongside Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence Tusli Gabbard and his former advisor Steve Bannon.
The ex-MP for Clacton and co-founder of Vote Leave, Douglas Carswell, who now lives in the US, was present at the hard-right event.
Hedge fund manager and Republican donor Tom Klingenstein filled in for Farage, giving a speech about “white guilt”, which he argued was “the problem of our time”.
Today, Farage will miss PMQs to give evidence at the US Congress’ Judiciary Committee, as part of its investigation into “Europe’s threat to American Speech and Innovation”.
The Reform leader is expected to speak to the committee about the case of Lucy Connolly, who was jailed after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred against asylum seekers, as evidence of supposed threats to freedom of expression in the UK.
Connolly called for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire.
Farage also said he will speak about Graham Linehan, who was arrested yesterday on suspicion of inciting violence on social media, after sharing his views on trans rights.
While Farage speaks about the importance of free speech in the US, back in the UK a Reform-led council has banned journalists from reporting on its activities.
Deputy leader of Reform Richard Tice and Lee Anderson have spoken in support of Nottinghamshire County Council’s decision.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
Nigel Farage goes to America to complain about a lack of free speech in UK, while Reform bans journalists at home
3 September, 2025
So much for Reform’s tolerance of free speech.
TweetShareWhatsAppMail
You couldn’t make it up! Nigel Farage is once more being accused of breathtaking hypocrisy, after he jetted off to the U.S. once again, missing the opening of Parliament, to complain about a ‘lack of free speech’ in the UK, while his own party bans journalists at home.
As well as speaking alongside Trump loyalists, Farage will also attend a Congress inquiry into freedom of speech, where he will falsely claim that freedom of speech is under attack in the UK. He is expected to raise the case of Lucy Connolly, the Tory councillor jailed for a tweet calling for asylum hotels to be set on fire, as an example of how free speech is being hampered in the UK.
Of course, it doesn’t matter to Farage that Connolly was jailed after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred.
As part of evidence given to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Farage said: “On the question of civil liberties, Britain has, unfortunately, now lost her way.
“I will do my part, as a participant in UK democracy, to help our country find its way back to the traditional freedoms which have long bound together our two countries in friendship.”
However, Farage’s hypocrisy really is quite something, especially since Reform’s own politicians in the UK are banning journalists from speaking to them.
Last week, a Reform UK council leader’s decision to ban his councillors from engaging with a prominent local newspaper just because he didn’t like what was reported was slammed as a “massive attack on local democracy”.
Nottinghamshire county council, which is run by Reform, said it would no longer deal with the Nottingham Post, its online edition and a team of BBC-funded local democracy journalists that it manages, after they didn’t like a story about plans for a local government restructure.
So much for Reform’s tolerance of free speech.
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
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