Right-wing upstarts threaten UK Tories at general election with Donald Trump-aping promises to ‘make Britain great’

Reform UK – formerly the Brexit Party and whose leader admires ex-US president Donald Trump – rails against immigration and net zero energy policies

Conservatives fear the group could prevent PM Rishi Sunak from securing a fifth-consecutive term by splitting the right-wing vote in key constituencies

Reading Time:3 minutes

Richard Tice, leader of the Reform UK party, delivers a speech in central London on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:34am, 4 Jan 2024Updated: 4:46am, 5 Jan 2024

A fringe right-wing political party founded by Eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage is once again posing a headache for Britain’s ruling Conservatives before this year’s UK general election.

Reform UK – formerly called the Brexit Party and whose leader admires ex-US president Donald Trump – rails against immigration, net zero energy policies and “nanny state” government regulations.

With slogans including “Let’s make Britain great” and “Let’s save Britain”, Reform is trying to tap into disgruntlement among Britons struggling from the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

It is currently polling at around 10 per cent in national surveys before a vote that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said will be held some time in 2024.

Former Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in London in March 20. Photo: AFP

Conservative lawmakers fear the group will help prevent an embattled Sunak from securing a fifth consecutive term for his party by splitting the right-wing vote in key constituencies.