The apparent bust-up within Reform UK will be music to the ears of the party’s enemies in the media and other political parties. This is especially the case for a Conservative Party increasingly eclipsed by Nigel Farage’s outfit. But polling also shows Labour has benefitted from this saga, having also been boosted by a recent good showing by the PM in Washington. Reform’s biggest threat was always going to be internal dissent rather than external pressures.
The public row between Farage and Rupert Lowe therefore carries huge risk, following Lowe’s public criticism of Farage and his later losing of the whip. For Reform, the two incidents are unconnected, with the party claiming the Great Yarmouth MP already faced allegations of bullying and threats of violence.
Lowe and his supporters smell a conspiracy, but Farage cited a row with transport minister Mike Kane where the serjeant-at-arms had to intervene.
Then on Sunday the lawyer appointed to investigate claims against Lowe denied making statements he attributed to her which suggested scepticism towards Reform’s claims.
This is not a pretty picture, but one thing is certain: the longer this goes on, the more damage is done to brand Reform.
By all accounts the party is indeed professionalising and while policy details are thin, the next election is likely four years away and policies clearly are being fleshed out.
That speaks to part of Lowe’s criticism. The other — that this is the Nigel Farage show — has to allow for the fact that brand Farage is why Reform has climbed to around 25% support in national polling.
Lowe is popular with Reform rank and file, but Farage and co must have an eye to broader national appeal.
Whatever happens now — whether Lowe is permanently removed or not — Reform must present a united front. Without that, credibility is lost and national support will diminish.
Reform UK is something bigger than UKIP or the Brexit Party. For starters, it has MPs in the Commons, which the latter parties never did.
Frankly — with the next election slated for 2029 — now would be the time to get Reform’s teething problems out of the way.
The priority for Reform UK — if it wants any chance of forming the next government — must be to resolve this feud and get united behind the leadership and policy agenda.
Anything less will be a gift to the party’s enemies. Pragmatism must win out.