Reform UK infighting complicates Farage’s push to prepare party to govern
Internal disputes at Reform UK are complicating Nigel Farage’s effort to professionalise the party and present it as a credible candidate to govern Britain, Bloomberg reported Saturday, citing several party insiders.
The tensions have surfaced as Reform prepares for its annual conference next month following electoral setbacks and renewed scrutiny over undeclared gifts. The party has also lost its polling lead after the governing Labour Party gained support under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Reform and Labour are now tied at roughly 24%, according to Bloomberg’s composite poll, which uses a 14-day average of surveys from nine polling companies.
Three Reform insiders described dealings with Farage’s office as chaotic and said the party leader should appoint an experienced chief of staff. A person close to Farage rejected claims that the office was disorganised, saying some members simply disliked the answers they received.
The internal divisions became public following the suspension of strategist Tim Montgomerie, hours after he criticised senior party figures during a podcast. Montgomerie said Farage had not known about the suspension and that he planned to challenge it. Reform said the decision complied with party rules.
Recent disputes have focused on home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, a close Farage ally. Farage publicly criticised Yusuf earlier this month after he described a Conservative rival and armed forces veteran as a “moron” and “traitor.”
Some party figures view the disputes as evidence that Reform needs further organisational changes before the next general election, which must be held by August 2029.
Reform has expanded its parliamentary presence and appointed spokespeople covering finance, business and home affairs. It has also hired policy advisers and added communications and operations staff.
Still, insiders questioned the advice Farage has received, citing failed by-election campaigns and his decision to resign his parliamentary seat before contesting and winning the resulting Clacton by-election.
The turmoil risks distracting Reform as it seeks to regain momentum against Labour and persuade voters that it can move beyond its image as a party centred on Farage.
