OPINION

       Reform UK Holds Rally In North West Essex (Image: Getty)

       After a surge in support, simmering during the last General Election and continuing since, Reform UK’s MPs appear to be engaging in an act of self-sabotage. The insurgent right-wing party, famously able to command attention, has now taken things to a new level by referring one of its own MPs, Rupert Lowe, to the police for threatening the party chair, Zia Yusuf. They have also launched an investigation on allegations of staff bullying. Lowe, now cast aside into the wilderness as an Independent MP, is furious. Denying the accusations, he has lashed out at the process and hired his own legal team. This chaotic saga will drag on for months, with Farage’s many enemies gleefully speculating whether the bright flash of Reform UK is already fizzling out.

       The suspension of the whip of an MP always makes waves, but for Reform UK, the impact is magnified as it only has five MPs. Each loss is significant. But beyond simple arithmetic, a major danger lies in Lowe’s influence. With a strong online following of over 300,000 on X, formerly Twitter, he holds sway in Reform’s digital-first community.

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       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

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       Farage breaks silence as Reform civil war explodes and issues warning over party's future

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       Reform UK faces 'political oblivion' as Rupert Lowe suspension sparks 'member exodus'

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       Reform UK crisis may have hit party at perfect time for Nigel Farage

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       Reform civil war explodes as Lee Anderson says party 'cannot function' with Rupert Lowe

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       'Outright lie!' Rupert Lowe blasts Reform UK's Lee Anderson in fiery row

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       Nigel Farage slaps down Rupert Lowe as Reform civil war rages

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       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

       422 Comments

       Why have Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage fallen out? Reform UK split explained

       26 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch sees major boost as Tories rake in 7 times more cash than Reform

       109 Comments

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

       190 Comments

       Reform announces 4 new councillor defections in Wales and it's bad news for Kemi Badenoch

       270 Comments

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       103 Comments

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       Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM

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       Reform UK are rising relentlessly - but one stumbling block will worry Nigel Farage

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       BBC's Laura Kuenssberg skewers politician live on-air with four words

       6 Comments

       Nigel Farage slammed by Tories as 'morally wrong' after he 'parrots' Zelensky criticism

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       Comments

       Reform UK faces 'political oblivion' as Rupert Lowe suspension sparks 'member exodus'

       544 Comments

       Reform UK crisis may have hit party at perfect time for Nigel Farage

       104 Comments

       Reform civil war explodes as Lee Anderson says party 'cannot function' with Rupert Lowe

       1281 Comments

       'Outright lie!' Rupert Lowe blasts Reform UK's Lee Anderson in fiery row

       Comments

       Nigel Farage slaps down Rupert Lowe as Reform civil war rages

       262 Comments

       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

       422 Comments

       Why have Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage fallen out? Reform UK split explained

       26 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch sees major boost as Tories rake in 7 times more cash than Reform

       109 Comments

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

       190 Comments

       Reform announces 4 new councillor defections in Wales and it's bad news for Kemi Badenoch

       270 Comments

       Tories face huge threat ‘larger than Nigel Farage' head of May elections

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       Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM

       214 Comments

       Don't miss... 'Reform UK crisis may have hit party at perfect time for Nigel Farage'

       As a new movement, Reform’s coalition of support is still bedding in, including with members drawn from ex-UKIP voters, former right-leaning Conservatives, disillusioned Red Wall Labour voters, and those new to politics.

       A common thread is a deep cynicism about the political establishment, convinced that a "mono-party" system exists, an impression only reinforced by what was perceived as government overreach during Covid.

       Now, to their dismay, they are watching Reform descend into the kind of internal warfare they despise in mainstream parties. Many members, particularly working-class supporters, may be wondering why their hard-earned cash is being spent on costly lawyer-led

       investigations rather than campaigning.

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       For those most frustrated, it reinforces their view that politics is not fit for purpose. Another major danger is its symbolism on free speech, a core part of Reform’s philosophy.

       The grassroots take a dim view of any form of censorship and some are suspicious of the timing of Lowe’s suspension, coming soon after he publicly questioned whether Nigel Farage would make a good Prime Minister.

       This will remind some of the party’s treatment of the former deputy leader, Ben Habib, now an outspoken Farage critic, who accused Reform of being too centralised around its leader.

       With less than two months until the local elections, Farage is scrambling to build a grassroots operation, securing volunteers to do the hard graft of knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, and standing as candidates.

       Reform’s ground game remains in its infancy and this latest episode will be unwelcome. For ordinary voters who mused about backing Reform, eyebrows are certainly raised.

       How can a party with just five MPs manage to have such an explosive internal row less than a year into Parliament?

       Until now, Reform has benefited from the Tories still recovering in opposition and Labour’s popularity falling under Keir Starmer’s government.

       READ MORE...

       Reform UK faces 'political oblivion' as Rupert Lowe suspension sparks 'member ex

       'Outright lie' Rupert Lowe blasts Reform UK's Lee Anderson in fiery row

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

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       But as Reform’s divisions explode to the surface, it raises questions on their ability to transition from a loud protest party to one that could be a serious governing party.

       Farage has already faced a few tough weeks. He’s had to awkwardly navigate around Trump’s foreign policy towards Ukraine, and Elon Musk has previously questioned whether he is the right leader for the party.

       More alarmingly, the party’s fundraising capabilities may have been overstated. Despite the hype, Reform was heavily behind in fundraising during the last quarter of 2024, with Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives impressively raising ￡1.92 million compared to Reform’s paltry ￡281,000.

       The recent infighting won’t help Farage draw in more donors. Both the Conservatives and Labour will be relieved to see Reform’s momentum slow. No amount of glossy online campaigning and colourful rallies can mask serious internal issues.

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       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

       422 Comments

       Why have Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage fallen out? Reform UK split explained

       25 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch sees major boost as Tories rake in 7 times more cash than Reform

       109 Comments

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

       190 Comments

       Reform announces 4 new councillor defections in Wales and it's bad news for Kemi Badenoch

       270 Comments

       Tories face huge threat ‘larger than Nigel Farage' head of May elections

       103 Comments

       Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM

       214 Comments

       Reform UK are rising relentlessly - but one stumbling block will worry Nigel Farage

       154 Comments

       Reform UK's Rupert Lowe reported to police by his own party over 'bullying' allegations

       14 Comments

       Mark Carney elected as Canada's next prime minister to replace Trudeau

       63 Comments

       Reform UK must be aware of falling into trap after Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage spat

       305 Comments

       Why Nigel Farage won't fear losing UK votes despite barb at Zelensky after Trump row

       144 Comments

       BBC's Laura Kuenssberg skewers politician live on-air with four words

       6 Comments

       Nigel Farage slammed by Tories as 'morally wrong' after he 'parrots' Zelensky criticism

       1345 Comments

       Farage breaks silence as Reform civil war explodes and issues warning over party's future

       Comments

       Reform UK faces 'political oblivion' as Rupert Lowe suspension sparks 'member exodus'

       544 Comments

       Reform UK crisis may have hit party at perfect time for Nigel Farage

       104 Comments

       Reform civil war explodes as Lee Anderson says party 'cannot function' with Rupert Lowe

       1281 Comments

       'Outright lie!' Rupert Lowe blasts Reform UK's Lee Anderson in fiery row

       Comments

       Nigel Farage slaps down Rupert Lowe as Reform civil war rages

       262 Comments

       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

       422 Comments

       Why have Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage fallen out? Reform UK split explained

       25 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch sees major boost as Tories rake in 7 times more cash than Reform

       109 Comments

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

       190 Comments

       Reform announces 4 new councillor defections in Wales and it's bad news for Kemi Badenoch

       270 Comments

       Tories face huge threat ‘larger than Nigel Farage' head of May elections

       103 Comments

       Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM

       214 Comments

       Reform UK are rising relentlessly - but one stumbling block will worry Nigel Farage

       154 Comments

       Reform UK's Rupert Lowe reported to police by his own party over 'bullying' allegations

       14 Comments

       Mark Carney elected as Canada's next prime minister to replace Trudeau

       63 Comments

       Reform UK must be aware of falling into trap after Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage spat

       305 Comments

       Why Nigel Farage won't fear losing UK votes despite barb at Zelensky after Trump row

       144 Comments

       BBC's Laura Kuenssberg skewers politician live on-air with four words

       6 Comments

       Nigel Farage slammed by Tories as 'morally wrong' after he 'parrots' Zelensky criticism

       1345 Comments

       Farage breaks silence as Reform civil war explodes and issues warning over party's future

       Comments

       Reform UK faces 'political oblivion' as Rupert Lowe suspension sparks 'member exodus'

       544 Comments

       Reform UK crisis may have hit party at perfect time for Nigel Farage

       104 Comments

       Reform civil war explodes as Lee Anderson says party 'cannot function' with Rupert Lowe

       1281 Comments

       'Outright lie!' Rupert Lowe blasts Reform UK's Lee Anderson in fiery row

       Comments

       Nigel Farage slaps down Rupert Lowe as Reform civil war rages

       262 Comments

       Rupert Lowe takes 10-word swipe at Nigel Farage as Reform UK row erupts

       422 Comments

       Why have Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage fallen out? Reform UK split explained

       25 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch sees major boost as Tories rake in 7 times more cash than Reform

       109 Comments

       Richard Tice refuses to answer Rupert Lowe question in awkward GB News clash

       190 Comments

       Reform announces 4 new councillor defections in Wales and it's bad news for Kemi Badenoch

       270 Comments

       Tories face huge threat ‘larger than Nigel Farage' head of May elections

       103 Comments

       Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM

       214 Comments

       Nevertheless, Nigel Farage still maintains an iron grip on the party. Despite Lowe’s protestations, Farage’s personal brand, media influence, and inner circle of loyalists mean he holds most of the cards.

       He will be hoping this controversy fades quickly without lasting damage. This crisis shows the difficulty of sustaining a political surge for the more than four years needed until the next likely General Election in the face of increasing scrutiny.

       If Farage was hoping to adopt a “Ming vase strategy,” carefully sustaining momentum without dropping it, he may have already slipped. Time will tell if the vase has already cracked.