About our Reform UK news
Latest news on Reform UK, also known as Reform and the Reform Party, covering Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, Zia Yusuf, Reform polls, Reform policies, the Reform manifesto, Reform MPs, Reform councillors, Reform councils, donations, defections, by-elections and local elections.
Reform UK is a right-wing party that campaigns for lower immigration, lower taxes, an end to net zero targets and changes to the NHS and other public services. Nigel Farage returned as leader in June 2024, with Richard Tice among its senior figures. At the general election on 4 July 2024 it won five seats and 14.3% of the vote, third place by share of the vote.
Since then the party has moved from protest vote to governing authority. It won its first councils and mayoralties in 2025, took the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes, and made further gains in the 2026 elections to English councils, the Senedd and the Scottish Parliament. High-profile Conservative defectors, including Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, have also joined. Reform councillors take decisions on budgets, planning and social care, and their record is closely watched.
Controversy is never far away. Critics raise questions about donations from wealthy backers, foreign influence, standards investigations, councillor conduct and the cost of its tax and spending pledges. The party has also had public splits, including the departure of former MP Rupert Lowe, who went on to found Restore Britain. Supporters say Reform speaks for voters who feel ignored by the two main parties.
Behind the headlines are the voters. Many Reform supporters live in former industrial towns, coastal communities and places that backed Brexit, and cite immigration, living costs and trust in politicians. Opponents argue its rhetoric is divisive and its sums do not add up. Farage's media profile, rallies and social media reach keep Reform at the centre of political debate.
The party began as the Brexit Party, founded in November 2018 by Catherine Blaiklock with Farage's backing, and topped the poll at the 2019 European elections. It was renamed Reform UK at the start of 2021, led by Tice until Farage's return. Lee Anderson became its first MP in March 2024 after leaving the Conservatives.
Our NewsNow Reform UK feed brings together the latest headlines on Farage, Tice, Yusuf, Reform MPs, MSs and MSPs, councillors and councils, polls, policies, donations, by-elections and local elections. It is updated constantly with reliable coverage from across the UK, so you can follow every development as it happens.