Reform's Rhetoric and Its Effect

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We cannot escape the media presence of Reform UK. Consisting of - at the last count - 8 MPs, the party appears to have more media coverage than the official opposition, the Conservatives. With such a platform also comes great responsibility. Growing numbers of councillors, and more MPs (though most are unelected defectors), Reform UK has become a spokesparty for the future of UK politics. Its language and ideas have sparked debate, but what is its effect?


The ‘Shadow’ Cabinet 


Traditionally, only the ‘winning’ party (or parties) forms a government, with the ‘runners up’ assembling a shadow cabinet. Their purpose is to scrutinise the government, as well as for their own party, to position themselves as the next potential government. (A taster, if you like.) Reform UK is neither of the above. 


Nigel Farage’s announcement of their ‘shadow’ cabinet, a week ago, was met with a range of reactions. John Crace, The Guardian, called the announcement nothing more than a sham, viewing it as an attempt by Mr Farage to reassure the public that Reform is not just a vanity project. (Crace 2026) Others, like Jermaine Lawal, viewed the attempt as a signalling project. (Lawal 2026) Undeniably popular, Reform UK has expanded its horizon from local government (as seen in Kent) to national government (its new cabinet): now is their chance to show they are a credible alternative to govern. 


Selling yourself as the alternative - when you are full of washed-up and re-branded former Tories - doesn’t spell credible. Are the people of Britain suffering amnesia? They voted out the Conservatives en masse in 2024, and now they want the same thing in a lighter shade of blue? Reform may claim to be an exciting new alternative, but it is far from this.



Freedom of Speech for Me, but Not for Thee 


Having served as a Member of the European Parliament for 20 years, Farage’s disdain for Europe is almost ironic. For his party, freedom of expression, a European Convention on Human Rights “qualified right” has been particularly crucial.  Enshrined in UK Law under the Human Rights Act 1998, for Farage, Europe and its ideas are certainly fundamental in how views may be expressed today. 


Reform UK are quick to ensure their opinions are promoted and protected. When they were met with pushback from students for a Reform speaker event at the University of Bangor, their immediate response was to threaten to defund them by £30 million. (“Reform UK threatens to scrap £30m of Bangor University funding if elected | ITV News” 2026) Gabby Hinsliff of The Guardian suggested this move was similar to how a Reform Government would act. She called it, “an authoritarian response.” (Hinsliff 2026) When I discussed this incident with the Minister of State for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, she reiterated that universities should be open to a plethora of debate. However, is it not up to the students who they wish to platform - surely that, too, is their freedom of expression? 



Now, people are entitled to their views, but they also have to accept that promoting them can have consequences. For instance, at their inaugural conference in 2025, Reform UK platformed Lucy Conolly, the wife of a Conservative Northamptonshire councillor, who was charged with racial hatred for her online comments suggesting protestors should set asylum seekers on fire. (“Lucy Connolly dubbed 'political prisoner' in Reform UK conference appearance” 2025). Furthermore, accusations of racism surrounding Sarah Pochin, a Reform MP, after her comments about diversity in advertising do not help Reform challenge the rhetoric that they are enabling an environment for this hateful language. (Francis 2025) She is not alone, with examples of councillors for the party also being convicted of similar racial incidents, making it hardly a surprise that minority communities have started to view Reform with fear. (BBC News 2025) These examples demonstrate the issue Reform faces in light of freedom of expression - they can say what they like, but have to accept the consequences. Some of their party members express dangerous attitudes, which can tarnish the party’s perception. 


If I had chosen this wonderful nation as my home, or was a child of immigrant parents, and I faced exposure to such intolerant language, I too would be scared. People are worried as right-leaning supporters voice demands for the end of practices such as ‘indefinite leave to remain.’ Immigrants are not the enemy of the people. But the rhetoric associated with Reform is winning, with their policies now gearing towards strict immigration controls. Resulting in a pocket of hate and division, not hope and unity, developing in some areas.  



Broken Britain 


In the 1970s, inflation had peaked, industrial relations were unsettled: Britain was the ‘sick man of Europe’. Following Brexit and the global pandemic COVID-19, growing numbers of refugees, and supposedly increased violence, Britain is allegedly back to being ‘broken’.


Britain is not broken. If anything, despite the financial strains of Brexit and COVID-19, the economy is growing, there are more opportunities for investment both nationally and internationally, and we maintain a strong sense of pride. Violence has gone down in areas such as London, net migration is down, the minimum wage is rising, pensioners are better off because of the triple lock, and that is to name just a few of the achievements of the Labour government. So, do not be taken in by the punchy rhetoric that Reform perpetuates.

Reform UK likes to pretend that they are the doctor and they have the miracle cure to fix the issue. They may have a loud voice, but they are few in government. Only the electorate can change this. But, as we have seen, Reform are not on the side of the working people. They have pledged to reintroduce the two-child benefit cap (despite the fact that two of their eight MPs voted to scrap it to begin with) and plan to scrap our NHS in favour of an insurance-based model. Can you afford this? I know I can’t. 


Britain remains a kind and tolerant country. While Reform can perpetuate its language of division and hatred, communities will continue to rally and protect their fellow men and women. 



The Take-Away 


Reform’s announcement of a ‘Shadow Cabinet’ is an effort to signal internal development - they believe they can govern. The lights may be on, but nobody is home. Sensible policy does not exist, only extremist promises of cutting immigration, deporting those who call this their home, and pushing for a one-nation identity. 


They may continue to shout their promises from the rooftop and the social media comment section, but as David Lammy - the Deputy Prime Minister - made clear, Labour and Sir Keir Starmer have a clear five-year mandate. In the meantime, Reform is establishing itself with a poor record in local government, demonstrating to voters what 'excellence' means in Reform seats (including breaking election promises not to increase council tax). I, for one, am certain they will not have my vote. 




References

BBC News. 2025. “Ex-Reform councillor charged with harassment.” October 17, 2025.

Crace, John. 2026. “Nigel Farage assumes Anne Robinson role in political remake of The Weakest Link.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/17/nigel-farage-anne-robinson-political-remake-the-weakest-link.

Francis, Sam. 2025. “Reform MP Sarah Pochin's comments about adverts were 'racist', Wes Streeting says.” BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7rg7wjvgvo.

Hinsliff, Gaby. 2026. “If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University | Gaby Hinsliff.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/13/reform-power-bangor-university-debating-society-authoritarian.

Hinsliff, Gaby. 2026. “If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University | Gaby Hinsliff.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/13/reform-power-bangor-university-debating-society-authoritarian.

Lawal, Jermaine. 2026. “Reform UK's “shadow cabinet”: structure, signal or something else?” SEC Newgate. https://www.secnewgate.co.uk/our-insights/reform-uks-shadow-cabinet-structure-signal-or-something-else.

“Lucy Connolly dubbed 'political prisoner' in Reform UK conference appearance.” 2025. ITV. https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-09-07/lucy-connolly-receives-loud-cheers-as-she-appears-at-reform-uk-conference.

“Reform UK threatens to scrap £30m of Bangor University funding if elected | ITV News.” 2026. ITVX. https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2026-02-10/reform-uk-threatens-to-scrap-30m-of-bangor-university-funding-if-elected.

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