Despite a Labour landslide, Farage’s Reform party is a big story of this UK election

The insurgent party of the United Kingdom is finally emerging. Despite a decisive Labour victory, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has emerged as a notable story of the UK election. Reform UK, the right-wing successor to the Brexit Party and the UK Independence Party (UKIP), both previously led by Farage, has made significant inroads, despite its predecessors’ lack of parliamentary success.  

For the first time, Reform UK is projected to secure at least 13 seats in Parliament, a remarkable shift given that UKIP and the Brexit Party never managed to gain any seats in general elections. Initial results from key constituencies such as Houghton and Sunderland South, Sunderland Central, and Blyth and Ashington showed Reform UK finishing second to Labour, surpassing the Conservatives.

Nigel Farage, eighth time lucky

Nigel Farage himself became an MP in his eighth attempt, contesting in Clacton, south-east England. After exit polls indicate a Labour landslide and a surge in Reform UK party’s votes and seats, Farage described it as “the revolt against the establishment”.

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He won the Clacton seat by polling 21,225 votes and securing a majority of 8,405 over his Conservative rival Giles Watling.

David Bull, a prominent figure in Reform UK, described the exit poll projections as a “historic moment.” Bull told the BBC, “We are an insurgent party, this has come out of nowhere. The shy Reformers [are] coming out in droves. Thirteen seats is extraordinary."

Amid controversy and racial slur

The campaign, however, has not been without controversy. Some candidates and activists from Reform UK have made offensive remarks, with one canvasser recorded using a racial slur to describe Rishi Sunak. Despite this, the party’s unexpected success has brought it into the limelight.

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Farage, a key figure in the Brexit movement, celebrated the exit poll results, declaring that they signified a major shift.  

Reform UK, which he rebranded from the Brexit Party in 2018, is predicted to win 13 seats, marking an unprecedented achievement for a far-right party in Britain. “This, folks, is huge,” Farage proclaimed in a social media video. “The revolt against the establishment is underway."

A surge at the cost of Sunak’s party 

Farage’s success in Clacton and Reform UK’s performance overall signal a significant moment in British politics. Millions of former Conservative voters appear to have shifted their support to Reform UK, leading to what could be the Conservatives’ worst result in nearly two centuries. The Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010, now face a period of intense reflection and potential restructuring.

Emphasising the long-term vision of the party, David Bull told Sky News, “This is the beginning of a big movement. It’s also a five-year plan. If we can go from nothing four years ago to winning 13 seats, imagine what we can do in five years’ time."  

His statement underscores the party’s ambition and strategic approach to establishing a lasting presence in British politics.

Why Farage’s electoral rise matters

Farage, who has a long history of electoral campaigning and played a prominent role in the Brexit referendum, initially ruled himself out of this election before deciding to stand. His entry into the race dramatically reinvigorated Reform UK and caused a surge in support, posing a significant challenge to the Conservative Party.  

Political analysts in the UK are closely monitoring Farage’s progress as he may use his new-found parliamentary platform to further his anti-establishment and populist agenda, potentially reshaping the political landscape of the country.  

Chris Hopkins, a researcher at pollster Savanta, told AFP, “If this exit poll is right, this feels like Nigel Farage’s dream scenario – he’ll be rubbing his hands with glee. He’s got enough MPs to make a racket in Westminster, and the party he shares the closest political space with could be reduced to a long period of soul-searching."

Nigel Farage, a global right story?

Farage’s strategy and the success of Reform UK resonate with broader trends in global politics, where hard-right parties and politicians are gaining traction. His rise makes the UK one more country where nationalists are seeing a surge.  

Farage, seen as one of Britain’s most effective communicators and campaigners, has capitalised on this momentum. A privately educated son of a stockbroker, he has maintained a high profile, including his association with former US President Donald Trump.

The potential for 60-year-old Farage to achieve his long-term aim of influencing or even taking over the Conservative Party is now more conceivable than ever. His success in Clacton could serve as a launchpad for broader political ambitions, providing a platform to advocate for his staunchly anti-establishment populist messaging.

The developments in this election highlight a pivotal moment in British politics, where traditional party allegiances are being challenged, and new movements are gaining ground. As Reform UK continues to build its presence, the political dynamics in the UK are set to undergo significant changes, with Farage at the forefront of this transformation. He calls it “the revolt against the establishment”.