Just a few weeks ago, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party was experiencing significant success, consistently outpolling Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative party and even surpassing the Labour government in some surveys. Donors were defecting from the Tories to Reform, and Farage was basking in the attention from Donald Trump, positioning himself as a superior liaison to the American president. However, this rapid rise has been abruptly halted by controversies that have significantly impacted the party’s cohesion and image.
President Trump’s stance on Ukraine has diminished the appeal of aligning with him, and internal feuds have erupted among Farage’s small group of MPs. The spark was ignited when Rupert Lowe criticized Farage’s leadership in an interview with the Daily Mail, accusing him of being “messianic.” In response, the party revealed that Lowe was facing police criticism for allegedly making physical threats against Reform’s chairman.
Former co-deputy leader Ben Habib, ousted by Farage himself, expressed his belief that the charges against Lowe were unsubstantiated and part of a strategy to discredit individuals falling out of favor with the party. He pointed to structural flaws within Reform UK, including a lack of accountability within the leadership and called for changes to ensure party success. Without addressing these issues, Habib argued, the party is unlikely to thrive.
Lowe was expelled from the parliamentary party, following accusations of bullying and threatening remarks towards female employees and the party chairman. The party claimed evidence was presented showing a pattern of derogatory and discriminatory comments about women and alleged threats of physical violence by Lowe. Scotland Yard confirmed receipt of the complaint regarding “verbal threats” made on December 13th, prompting questions about the delay in reporting.
In response, Lowe vehemently denied these allegations as “a lie” and “outrageous and entirely untrue,” contending there was no creditable evidence against him. This crisis has deeply worried party members; some back Lowe and question Farage’s leadership and vision for the party. Members argue that without a solid infrastructure, the prospects for reforming the political landscape are bleak.
As the situation unfolds, the dynamics within Reform UK highlight the precarious balance between progressive visions and internal governance. Can Farage adapt and build a resilient party, or will these challenges fragment his ambitions?
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/from-trump-whisperer-to-trouble-angry-reform-uk-mps-turn-on-farage
