A losing streak? Makerfield shows mounting dangers for Nigel Farage
From Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m gift, the Reform leader faces challenges on several fronts
TL;DR
- Reform UK has led in over 300 national polls but has mixed results in recent by-elections.
- The Makerfield by-election result was considered a disappointment for Reform UK.
- Reform UK has only won one seat in five recent by-elections.
- Candidate selection is crucial, as demonstrated by issues with past candidates' online postings.
- Reform UK is vulnerable to tactical voting, where parties not in contention are squeezed.
- Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain presents a new competitor on Reform UK's right flank.
- Nigel Farage's press conferences have decreased since news of a £5m gift emerged.
- Questions about institutional bias against white people and a shift to the nativist right are noted.