Reform UK discussion

[dosxuk]

Imagine if there was a debate between Farage and Binface, that'd be TV gold!

All candidates are generally expected to attend hustings - where Farage would have been planning to attack the Labour / Tory / Lib Dem / Green candidates as part of his response to every question, hoping to get as many catchy soundbites as possible that can be clipped up for social media. He already set out his stall for this election being The People vs The Establishment, but that's not going to play out very well when the other candidates are clearly not The Establishment.

Instead I expect him to be absent, missing out on the opportunity for the soundbites, but also missing out on the comedy gold that would have resulted. It probably won't help his tag line though if the motley bunch of candidates do all attend, but he appears to think himself above such an appearance - some might say that is very much a sign of being part of The Establishment.

 

[52290]

If Count bin face, were to win, then the real winners would be the people of Clapton, because they would at least get a local MP who isn't off on his various side jobs, instead of the one he was elected to do, To serve the interests of the people of Clapton, not of faceless billionaires who pay him to do their bidding,

If Count Bin face did win I would very much applaud the voters of Clapton and their ability to influence this election!

 

[Tetragon213]

The good people of Clacton have a golden opportunity to do the funniest thing. I hope they take it.

The idea of Farage losing to a comedy candidate is one that I hope comes to fruition. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving "serious" candidate.

 

[35B]

Conveniently nothing is ever mentioned about all the fraud
lie-bour and con-artists get up to!

Well, we could start with the Suspicious Activity Reports raised against the runner-up in the last Tory leadership campaign. Or the fact that said candidate had to unwind a decision he'd made in favour of a pornographer property developer who he'd just happened to be sat with at dinner. Or maybe there's the former Tory Chancellor whose tax was very dubiously declared, and claimed heating for his stables on expenses.

But then that would raise the question of why such tarnished individuals would end up in Reform.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Or the fact that said candidate had to unwind a decision he'd made in favour of a pornographer property developer who he'd just happened to be sat with at dinner and who made a generous donation to said candidate.

We need the full picture when it comes to Honest Bob

 

[greatkingrat]

It is worth noting that over 800k Suspicious Activity Reports a year are raised by banks, only a small minority turn out to involve any wrong doing. The media seem to be implying that just being reported is evidence of wrongdoing, when in most cases it is just the bank covering their backside, because they can be fined heavily if they don't report something they should have.

 

[GusB]

It is worth noting that over 800k Suspicious Activity Reports a year are raised by banks, only a small minority turn out to involve any wrong doing. The media seem to be implying that just being reported is evidence of wrongdoing, when in most cases it is just the bank covering their backside, because they can be fined heavily if they don't report something they should have.

Not to mention that individual employees are also on the hook, even if they fail to spot something that they should have; it's little wonder that there are so many suspicious activity reports.

 

[Killingworth]

It is worth noting that over 800k Suspicious Activity Reports a year are raised by banks, only a small minority turn out to involve any wrong doing. The media seem to be implying that just being reported is evidence of wrongdoing, when in most cases it is just the bank covering their backside, because they can be fined heavily if they don't report something they should have.

And they can be fined very heavily if they let on to the customer that they're reporting the transaction. It would be interesting to know how many are deeply investigated and how without alerting the customer. It's not the bank's responsibility to do that investigation so as suggested there is a tendency to play safe and maybe over report.

 

[Sorcerer]

The double standards are fascinating. Starmer was a season ticket holder at Arsenal (which he paid for) and the club offered to put him in a VIP box for fairly obvious security reasons- theirs and his.

Apparently this was a sign of awful sleaze, but being given an undeclared £5m by a Thai crypto and arms dealer- Harborne's stake in QinetiQ seems to fly under the radar, even in The Guardian- for security isn't anything to be upset by.

PoliticsJOE put out this video called Nigel Farage's constituents are fuming at his resignation (for whose who cannot access the YouTube link) where one woman detests the fact that the Prime Minister is a millionaire, and when pointed out that Nigel Farage is a millionaire, suddenly one's net worth doesn't matter as long as they don't talk down to you. His supporters talk of the establishment as if he himself isn't a privately educated city broker running a party full of ex-Tory ministers that helped drive us into the mess we're in right now.

 

[JamieL]

The good people of Clacton have a golden opportunity to do the funniest thing. I hope they take it.

The idea of Farage losing to a comedy candidate is one that I hope comes to fruition. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving "serious" candidate.

Agree completely. Farage and the Bin. It has already spectacularly backfired as, whatever the result, the swing to Bin Face is going to be humiliating for Farage.

 

[nlogax]

Agree completely. Farage and the Bin. It has already spectacularly backfired as, whatever the result, the swing to Bin Face is going to be humiliating for Farage.

Highly doubt that Farage is going to lose to CBF, there are a lot of people who'll still vote for him in spite of his complete lack of presence in Clacton and the obvious, odious grift. I question the common sense and sanity of anyone voting to return him as MP - hell, anyone voting Reform at all - but he's got a vocal base of supporters and they'll get him across the line.

It should be humiliating enough to Farage that CBF is now appearing on Newsnight, LBC and positioned as his main opponent but.. .now. He lacks any self-awareness while his head is shoved so far up his own behind. Humiliation isn't something that's ever stopped him on his xenophobic path via all the grifting, whining and pontificating.

 

[edwin_m]

All candidates are generally expected to attend hustings - where Farage would have been planning to attack the Labour / Tory / Lib Dem / Green candidates as part of his response to every question, hoping to get as many catchy soundbites as possible that can be clipped up for social media. He already set out his stall for this election being The People vs The Establishment, but that's not going to play out very well when the other candidates are clearly not The Establishment.

Unless any unexpected candidates are nominated, he'll have to make do with calling Binface rubbish, or arguing the finer points (if any) of far-right politics with Fox.

 

[Tetchytyke]

And they can be fined very heavily if they let on to the customer that they're reporting the transaction.

Richard Tice made a very good point about this (and goodness me I hate saying that). How did The Guardian find out about the SARs? They're legally confidential, so whoever leaked their existence could have breached the law.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2026 ==

We need the full picture when it comes to Honest Bob

It wasn't even that generous a donation, about ten grand if I remember rightly.

The most surprising thing about the whole episode was not that Jenrick could be bought but, rather, just how cheaply he could be bought for.

 

[TravelDream]

Farage is going to win in Clacton and almost certainly win comfortably.

But I imagine he thought the other parties would fight it out and it wouldn't become a farce of 'Farage vs. Bin' in what's already the summer's silly season. Not quite the Reform vs. the establishment message Farage would have wanted.

I also think it discredits him nationally and makes him look like a non-serious player trying to avoid scrutiny over his dodgy donations. As much has Reform's taking heads try to deflect, we are not currently as bad as America and Brits dislike our politicians making lots of money through ways that are not totally clean.

Thankfully this by-election doesn't delay the investigation and we will likely see a recall petition later in the year where he will have to fight another by-election.

 

[thenorthern]

All candidates are generally expected to attend hustings - where Farage would have been planning to attack the Labour / Tory / Lib Dem / Green candidates as part of his response to every question, hoping to get as many catchy soundbites as possible that can be clipped up for social media. He already set out his stall for this election being The People vs The Establishment, but that's not going to play out very well when the other candidates are clearly not The Establishment.

Instead I expect him to be absent, missing out on the opportunity for the soundbites, but also missing out on the comedy gold that would have resulted. It probably won't help his tag line though if the motley bunch of candidates do all attend, but he appears to think himself above such an appearance - some might say that is very much a sign of being part of The Establishment.

Not always, I know in Makerfield the debates only featured Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, Green and the Conservatives. Given that the Green Party lost their deposit there in 2024 and the Liberal Democrats only barely kept their deposit I would question why they were invited.

I know Restore and Count Binface were not invited to the debates, which annoyed Restore Britain.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Question Time,The BBC have issued a statement standing by their decision to exclude Restore Britain from the by-election programme

“There are 14 candidates in the Makerfield by-election on the 18 June. Question Time has invited five parties to take part in our debate in the constituency based – as is always the case – on their past and current electoral support. The programme will ensure there are appropriate references to all the candidates standing” https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/maker...ime-restore-row-and-count-binfaces-manifesto/

Realistically, it's unlikely that there will be any debates that are broadcast during the Clacton by-election.

 

[jupiter]

I wouldn’t be so sure. The people want to see it, and you know what whores the media are for attention and clicks. It’s their raison-d’etre.

 

[35B]

PoliticsJOE put out this video called Nigel Farage's constituents are fuming at his resignation (for whose who cannot access the YouTube link) where one woman detests the fact that the Prime Minister is a millionaire, and when pointed out that Nigel Farage is a millionaire, suddenly one's net worth doesn't matter as long as they don't talk down to you. His supporters talk of the establishment as if he himself isn't a privately educated city broker running a party full of ex-Tory ministers that helped drive us into the mess we're in right now.

But "establishment" is not just about money. NF didn't go to an establishment school ("only" Dulwich), and did a very non-establishment job in a metals broker.

That bit of his shtick is, however misleading it is in so many other ways, not false - unlike most things about the man

 

[Tetchytyke]

On the subject of Honest Bob...

Police are investigating a donation given to Robert Jenrick's Conservative leadership campaign in 2024, BBC News understands.

The Electoral Commission had reportedly been looking at claims £37,500 donated to Jenrick's campaign originated overseas. That information was passed from the commission to the Metropolitan Police in January this year.

The force confirmed it had now launched a formal investigation "concerning donations connected to a political party's leadership campaign", as first reported by the i paper, external.

Foreign donations to UK politicians are banned under electoral law. Jenrick said the "allegations are entirely false".

"I have had no contact with the Met Police whatsoever in connection with this matter," he added.

The Metropolitan Police has not said who might be caught up in the investigation's inquiries.

Jenrick is now a Reform MP, having defected from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage's party earlier this year.

He ran to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader in summer 2024, when he came second to Kemi Badenoch.

As first reported by the Guardian in April, the Electoral Commission began examining allegations related to £100,000 in donations from the company Spott Fitness, given to Jenrick's campaign.

In September 2024 the British businessman Phillip Ullmann revealed that he was the man behind those donations.

However the Electoral Commission has been examining claims that £37,500 of that money actually came from the US company Innovyz.

Innovyz was founded by Gary Klopfenstein, a US businessman who in 2024 pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.

Robert Jenrick: Met investigates donation to Tory leadership campaign

The former Conservative, now Reform UK, MP says the allegations are "entirely false".

www.bbc.co.uk

Oh I do hope the Conservative Party have kept receipts.

 

[thenorthern]

I wouldn’t be so sure. The people want to see it, and you know what whores the media are for attention and clicks. It’s their raison-d’etre.

Online, possibly but broadcast it would set a dangerous precedent, inviting a satirical candidate who has never won an election before, never held an election deposit before and never got more than 1% of the vote.

If the BBC were to broadcast such a debate, it would open the door to legal and impartiality complaints in the future from other smaller parties, arguing they should also be allocated more coverage at elections.

 

[AlterEgo]

Humiliation isn't something that's ever stopped him on his xenophobic path via all the grifting, whining and pontificating.

Well, quite. He will be returned as MP although he may well be weakened by the ongoing scrutiny.

 

[JamesT]

Online, possibly but broadcast it would set a dangerous precedent, inviting a satirical candidate who has never won an election before, never held an election deposit before and never got more than 1% of the vote.

If the BBC were to broadcast such a debate, it would open the door to legal and impartiality complaints in the future from other smaller parties, arguing they should also be allocated more coverage at elections.

I think it will be interesting to see some opinion polls for Clacton. If they show Binface (or indeed any other candidate) looks set to gain significant vote share then I think the BBC could justify inviting them onto an election debate.

Otherwise with the other main parties not standing there’s no real electoral record for them to base it on.

 

[35B]

Online, possibly but broadcast it would set a dangerous precedent, inviting a satirical candidate who has never won an election before, never held an election deposit before and never got more than 1% of the vote.

If the BBC were to broadcast such a debate, it would open the door to legal and impartiality complaints in the future from other smaller parties, arguing they should also be allocated more coverage at elections.

The difference being that in most elections, broadcasters need to exercise editorial judgment to manage the number of participants. In this case, with three bad jokes as candidates, there’s a strong argument that all three should be on as they are the choice.

The alternative, entirely reasonable view, would be that there’s not enough at stake to justify airtime

 

[thenorthern]

I think it will be interesting to see some opinion polls for Clacton. If they show Binface (or indeed any other candidate) looks set to gain significant vote share then I think the BBC could justify inviting them onto an election debate.

Otherwise with the other main parties not standing there’s no real electoral record for them to base it on.

Difficult to say as the BBC tends to avoid using opinion polls if it can.

The difference being that in most elections, broadcasters need to exercise editorial judgment to manage the number of participants. In this case, with three bad jokes as candidates, there’s a strong argument that all three should be on as they are the choice.

The alternative, entirely reasonable view, would be that there’s not enough at stake to justify airtime

Probably the latter.

On the subject of Honest Bob...

Robert Jenrick: Met investigates donation to Tory leadership campaign

The former Conservative, now Reform UK, MP says the allegations are "entirely false".

www.bbc.co.uk

Oh I do hope the Conservative Party have kept receipts.

Difficult to say how the Conservatives will react as at the end of the day yes Jenrick is no longer their problem now but it doesn't hide the fact that the accusations suggest that the Conservative Party can't run a leadership campaign properly. In other words it's bad for Jenrick, bad for Reform UK but also bad for the Conservatives.

 

[Altnashin]

I would agree with the comments saying Farage will win.
I am already seeing Facebook posts from Farage supporters (for a source, look up, for example, Adam Brooks, June Slater etc... on social media)
I will say that I do not support Labour, or any other political parties, they all should face fair, factually sourced questions and scrutiny from non-client journalists.
I am wondering, however, if certain rumours (source, parts of social media) are true that someone (could be plural) within Reform are trying to get Robert Jenrick as leader.

 

[thenorthern]

I would agree with the comments saying Farage will win.
I am already seeing Facebook posts from Farage supporters (for a source, look up, for example, Adam Brooks, June Slater etc... on social media)
I will say that I do not support Labour, or any other political parties, they all should face fair, factually sourced questions and scrutiny from non-client journalists.
I am wondering, however, if certain rumours (source, parts of social media) are true that someone (could be plural) within Reform are trying to get Robert Jenrick as leader.

For Farage to stand down it would likely need a no confidence motion, I wasn't sure myself what that would involve so I checked Reform UK's conditution and it states the following.

No confidence motions

6.28.A motion of no confidence in the Party Leader may be proposed in two ways:

6.28.1. by 50 Members of the Parliamentary Party or 50% of the Members of the Parliamentary Party (whichever is greater), writing to the Chairman and requesting a motion of no confidence. For the avoidance of doubt, clause 6.28.1 is only applicable in the event that the Parliamentary Party consists of more than 100 MPs; or

6.28.2. by 50% of all Members in Good Standing writing to the Chairman requesting a motion of no confidence.

In either case such a request shall only be valid for 60 days from the day of receipt, after that time the Chairman shall disregard such requests.

https://reformuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Reform_UK_Constitution.pdf

Given that Reform UK only has 7 MPs which is well short of the 50 needed then the option of removing him by MPs writing to the chairman is not going to happen

With membership, they have around 268,000 members which would mean 134,000 letters to the chairman from ordinary members. Possible? Yes but realistic? No.

 

[Killingworth]

For Farage to stand down it would likely need a no confidence motion, I wasn't sure myself what that would involve so I checked Reform UK's conditution and it states the following.

Given that Reform UK only has 7 MPs which is well short of the 50 needed then the option of removing him by MPs writing to the chairman is not going to happen

With membership, they have around 268,000 members which would mean 134,000 letters to the chairman from ordinary members. Possible? Yes but realistic? No.

We know it's really the Farage party. Did he consult his shadow cabinet (what cabinet?) before having his hissy fit and telling the world he was resigning? Typical of his man management and proof he's totally unsuited to taking any role in collective government.

 

[martin butler]

Its odds on that Farage will win, and retain his seat, this time round, But in the future, I'm not sure,

It's very likely that the investigation into his finances will see him suspended from the house, and having to face a recall petition,

But he will have been damaged, first by this first election, if he does not maintain his share of the vote, and secondly if the petition which only needs 10% of voters in Clapton to say yes,

He might well, as he did with UKIP throw in the towel, and not stand if he thinks he has better options elsewhere, such as the US,
But even the opportunity to grift in the US must begin to reduce, especially if the Democrats win big in the mid terms.

 

[The exile]

With membership, they have around 268,000 members which would mean 134,000 letters to the chairman from ordinary members. Possible? Yes but realistic? No.

I’m sure the phrase “in good standing” has an official meaning and only applies to”within the party” - otherwise it could be argued that the eligible electorate of party members would be a lot lower than that!

 

[thenorthern]

I’m sure the phrase “in good standing” has an official meaning and only applies to”within the party” - otherwise it could be argued that the eligible electorate of party members would be a lot lower than that!

The official meaning is rather mundane, I'm afraid.

4.2. Members are considered to be in “good standing” if at any given moment: 4.2.1. their subscriptions are up to date; and

4.2.2. they are not subject to any suspension or exclusion by the Party either from elected office or from standing as a candidate of any sort in any election; and

4.2.3. they are not subject to any form of suspension or restriction as to their membership of The Party.

4.2.4. they owe no debts to the party, that are older than 30 days and more than £100.

4.3. Members who are “in good standing” shall receive a membership number and the Party’s newsletter either by post or electronically. The method of communication shall be at the discretion of the Party. They shall be entitled to vote in such internal Party elections or ballots as the Board shall, in their absolute discretion, decide. https://reformuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Reform_UK_Constitution.pdf

 

[The exile]

The official meaning is rather mundane, I'm afraid.

That’s what I assumed it probably meant. Shame!