March 2025 has marked a dramatic chapter for Reform UK. In just a few weeks, 29 councillors — from both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats — have defected to the rapidly growing movement. On the surface, this might seem like a win for Reform, but beneath the headlines lies a growing tension that could shape the future of British politics.
The Rupert Lowe Fallout
The defections come in the wake of a high-profile internal dispute. MP Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party following accusations of verbal threats and workplace bullying made by Reform chairman Zia Yusuf. The matter has now been referred to the police. Lowe has denied all allegations, claiming his suspension was an act of political retaliation after he publicly criticised party leader Nigel Farage.
This is not the kind of story any rising political movement wants dominating the news cycle — but it points to something deeper.
Reform UK is arguably the fastest-growing political party in modern British history. According to YouGov, around a quarter of Britons say they would consider voting for the party, which is now polling at an average of 23%, up from 15% in July 2024.
Reform’s appeal lies partly in what it isn’t. It’s not Labour. It’s not Conservative. To many, it represents a long-overdue shake-up — a break from a political system that feels stale, detached, and unresponsive. Those who have joined the party, including the 29 recent councillor defectors, often describe it as the only party willing to say the things others won’t, or to confront issues the others have repeatedly failed to solve.
The ‘Common Sense’ Brand
The party’s flagship stance is on immigration, but that’s just one part of a broader message rooted in what it calls ‘common sense’ values and a commitment to ‘stand up for Britain.’ This framing, combined with Farage’s political notoriety, has won Reform a kind of populist credibility that few outside the two major parties have been able to capture.
But credibility only gets you so far. Reform is now battling the same challenge that every rising party eventually faces: how to move from insurgency to institution, from protest to professionalism.
Farage seems to understand this. In a recent BBC interview, he admitted Reform had failed to properly vet some candidates, especially those with racist or extremist views. “There wasn’t proper vetting,” he said, “and it did us enormous harm — rightfully so.” He has made it clear that bigots are not welcome in Reform, and insists the party must “professionalise” if it wants to sustain its momentum.
This makes the Rupert Lowe saga particularly damaging. Lowe, who has publicly aligned himself with figures like Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson, has been a thorn in Farage’s side — accused by many within the party of appealing to a far-right base that Reform is actively trying to distance itself from. While Lowe claims to be speaking truth to power, many party insiders see him as a destabilising force and would prefer to see him expelled entirely.
Legacy vs. Momentum
The stakes are high. Reform has found itself in a moment of rapid growth, but that growth is fragile. Labour and the Conservatives may be deeply unpopular in some quarters, but they benefit from something Reform lacks: legacy. The two main parties have established identities, embedded loyalty, and institutional staying power. Reform does not — at least, not yet.
To compete long-term, Reform will need more than just public anger and catchy slogans. It needs discipline. It needs cohesion. It needs to shed the internal chaos and present a clear, united front. At the moment, Farage seems to be fighting on two fronts — against the establishment outside, and disunity within.
All political parties have their share of infighting and scandal. Labour faced its own crisis when MP Rupa Huq was suspended for racially charged remarks about Kwasi Kwarteng. The Conservatives are still grappling with the reputational damage from the ‘Partygate’ scandal. But what those parties have, and Reform does not, is a large, established voter base that can weather storms. Reform’s momentum, while impressive, remains volatile.
The question is no longer whether people want change. It’s whether Reform can be that change, or whether internal power struggles and extremist associations will sink its chances before it ever truly arrives.
If it can mature, Reform UK may well redefine British politics. But if it continues to fracture from within, it risks becoming yet another false dawn — a party that promised to challenge the system, but couldn’t escape its own chaos.
