Reform UK discussion

[Jon_jpwh]

The letter seems just a repeat of his broadcast when he announced his resignation as an MP. I certainly don't believe his claim that Labour have friends in the media.

 

[Robin Edwards]

Pulling the victim card is his only genuine skill barring being a pot-stirring grifter.

Farage and his party are keen wherever they can, to ensure their existing supporters feel endlessly betrayed and the victim of everything that fails to make them ever-happy. Farage know only too well what he's doing. Blaming everyone else for the very things that he himself is guilty of is just standard practice for creating deflection. Trumpism - demonstrably so.

 

[Harpo]

I certainly don't believe his claim that Labour have friends in the media.

Quite! Mirror & Guardian aside, Starmer was Billy-no-mates from day 1 in the job.

 

[AlterEgo]

This letter has been going out to residents in Clacton area.

Sorry can't do a quote as it's a photo.

What a moaning Myrtle he is. Total victim as usual.

 

[Strathclyder]

Farage and his party are keen wherever they can, to ensure their existing supporters feel endlessly betrayed and the victim of everything that fails to make them ever-happy. Farage know only too well what he's doing. Blaming everyone else for the very things that he himself is guilty of is just standard practice for creating deflection. Trumpism - demonstrably so.

Precisely. It's all rooted back to the oldest populist trick in the book. The rest of us, outside the cult of personality, can see it for what it is and either vehemently oppose it or let it run rampant if it benefits it us in some way.

What a moaning Myrtle he is. Total victim as usual.

Without even reading it, my first thought was the same as when he called the by-election to start with: 'Poor me, pour me another drink'. Eyes rolled back so far they nearly fell out my head.

He exists in a perpetual state of manufactured victimhood. Must be exhausting, but not half as exhausting as having to live in the same country as him and despair at how long it took for him to face any kind of sustained scrunity from the media. Believe me, after everything he's done, I'm enjoying it far more than I perhaps should, but still.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2026 ==

The letter seems just a repeat of his broadcast when he announced his resignation as an MP. I certainly don't believe his claim that Labour have friends in the media.

It's a load of utter tripe. If he had faced even a silver of the scrutiny that Starmer had to, he would've literally self-combusted by now.

 

[brad465]

The revelations just keep coming now:

Revealed: George Cottrell transferred $2m to his mother days before her donations to Reform UK

Exclusive: Sources say Fiona Cottrell told bankers the transfers, received 24-72 hours before her donations to Reform, came from her son

www.theguardian.com

The convicted fraudster George Cottrell transferred a total of more than $2m to his mother, Fiona Cottrell, in the days before her 2024 donations to Reform UK, the Guardian understands.

Financial industry sources told the Guardian that Fiona received one deposit of $1.4m and two tranches of more than $300,000 each – money she attributed to having come from her son, George, when bankers asked about the deposits.


On each occasion, the Guardian understands transfers were made 24-72 hours before Fiona made a donation either directly to Reform, or via Britain Means Business, a fundraising vehicle for the political party.

According to sources, the lump sums went through US-based cryptocurrency exchanges before entering Fiona’s account. These platforms allow crypto-assets to be changed for hard currency, such as US dollars or British pounds. Some were routed to Fiona via money exchange services.

The Metropolitan police are investigating the funding of Reform UK, with a focus on scrutinising whether there were attempts to disguise the ultimate source of donations.

The new disclosures will add to the questions facing Reform and its leader, Nigel Farage, whose finances have been under the spotlight since the Guardian revealed he received a £5m gift from the crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Fiona was one of the most important donors to the party in 2024, making secret as well as public donations. She gave two lots of £250,000 in May 2024, which were disclosed transparently to the Electoral Commission. It can be revealed that these donations were preceded by transfers of $318,878 and $328,815 from her son.

As first revealed by the Guardian, she also gave more than £1m to Britain Means Business, a company controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, in June 2024. That cash transfer was not declared officially at the time, and was routed via the bank account of Oneify, an Australian money exchange service. Half that sum was transferred directly to the party days later by Tice, with no declaration that it originated from Fiona Cottrell.

It can now be revealed that sources have told the Guardian that $1,400,000 was deposited into Fiona Cottrell’s account by her son before she gave the £1,075,000 to Britain Means Business on 10 June 2024, just weeks before the general election.

In total, George Cottrell deposited $2,047,693 into his mother’s account, the Guardian has been told. Taking into account her 2024 donations to Britain Means Business and Reform UK, Fiona gave a total of £1.5m that year. These amounts are roughly equivalent, based on exchange rate data from May and June 2024.

Two Reform UK sources who were involved in party fundraising before the 2024 vote told the Guardian that George had assured senior party figures that some money would be on its way into the party’s coffers in the weeks leading up to the vote.

“He was acting as a sort of shadow treasurer, saying he would find a way to get more money in,” one of the sources said.

Asked about the transfers, lawyers for George Cottrell said their client had no further comment.

In previous legal correspondence, George has not denied giving his mother – who is understood to be of relatively modest means – large sums of money. Instead, he said via lawyers that “any political donations his mother has made have been entirely her own decision, and are a matter for her”.

Fiona Cottrell has not responded to several attempts by the Guardian to contact her.

 

[martin butler]

SO, is reform a company, mascaraing as a political party, or a political party, that seems to be a company?

Whatever it is, it seems very dodgy, that someone convicted of fraud, and because of it, is barred from making large donations to a party, that isn't, has to use his mother as a front person, isn't that money laundering, because there's no clear line of the origin of the funds, so who gave a convicted fraudster such a large sum of money in the first place?

 

[Class 317]

Part of the cover of the Frinton and Walton Gazette this week.

 

[Bantamzen]

SO, is reform a company, mascaraing as a political party, or a political party, that seems to be a company?

Whatever it is, it seems very dodgy, that someone convicted of fraud, and because of it, is barred from making large donations to a party, that isn't, has to use his mother as a front person, isn't that money laundering, because there's no clear line of the origin of the funds, so who gave a convicted fraudster such a large sum of money in the first place?

I'd say it's the former. Reform is so devoid of any actual policies that it cannot possibly be described as a political party. It is however very good at attracting investment it seems.

 

[Class 317]

Farage is making a rare visit to the Clacton today. Just seen him surrounded by his entourage and asking people quite directly if they are voting for him. 40 or so people in his entourage.

 

[dgl]

Part of the cover of the Frinton and Walton Gazette this week.

I do like the fact that he's always accountable, is that a misprint in that he actually has lot of accounts with which to hide money because with his current money scandal and his rare visits to Clacton, accountable to the people of Clacton he is not!

Oh, and I do hope the "Tell Nigel your views" link gets spammed, "Hello Nigel, my view is that I am against political parties/companies getting donations from fraudsters as I believe it means their views can be brought and as such will do anything for a bit of cash, what are your views on this matter?"

Also maybe they could get David Attenborough to narrate his visit to Clacton,
"Now this is one of the rarest sightings I've ever seen, the Nigel Faragius Brexidus is rarely seen in this part of the country, normally more likely to be seen in a posh London members club, but here he is out in the wild.

 

[Strathclyder]

Also maybe they could get David Attenborough to narrate his visit to Clacton,
"Now this is one of the rarest sightings I've ever seen, the Nigel Faragius Brexidus is rarely seen in this part of the country, normally more likely to be seen in a posh London members club, but here he is out in the wild.

"But even before it began, he knew that this visit to the Clacton peninsula will be a fleeting one as he lives in perpetual fear of coming into prolonged contact with, as he sees them, the great unwashed that consistute the general public who will likely see him for what he truly is under the cheap suit, thus he will scurry back to his den of cheap cigar smoke and wine-soaked debauchery at the earliest opportunity"

 

[spyinthesky]

Whichever comedian wins this by-election it will just show the sad state of the public view of politics.

Whilst I understand the reasons the other parties not running, it also demonstrates the lack of interest from these parties to the people of Clacton and how democracy works.

If it is the lowest turnout ever the winner could be elected with a single figure percentage of the local electorate. Madness

 

[edwin_m]

Whichever comedian wins this by-election it will just show the sad state of the public view of politics.
Whilst I understand the reasons the other parties not running, it also demonstrates the lack of interest from these parties to the people of Clacton and how democracy works.
If it is the lowest turnout ever the winner could be elected with a single figure percentage of the local electorate. Madness

Farage was elected to serve a full term, so stepping down and standing again isn't really serving the interests of Clacton either. Fair enough if he had health or personal reasons to resign, but trying to forestall an investigation isn't a good justification especially as the investigation re-starts if he is re-elected.

The only benefit I can see for him doing this is if he is returned, suspended and a recall petition is started. Clacton probably doesn't want yet another by-election and that may make it difficult to get signatures from the necessary 10% of voters. So he may avoid having to stand again, at a time when some of his alleged dodgy dealings would have effectively been proven and he might be more vulnerable to a "serious" opponent.

 

[spyinthesky]

Farage was elected to serve a full term, so stepping down and standing again isn't really serving the interests of Clacton either.

I think that was clear from the beginning, he only has self interests.

If only Binface could win, would he be aloud to wear that in parliament? That would really make the rest of the world press have a field day.

 

[martin butler]

Clacton, won't finish off Farage, even if he wins, gets banned, faces a recall petition, etc,

What will is the investigations into Reform, and its money, the links, the shady people, the offshore frauds who bankrolled him,

He will close down Reform, if he thinks it might lead to him personally facing court, Tice will also pull the plug, for the same reasons, especially if it's found that money laundering has taken place, both will make sure that are in places where they can't easily be extradited from.

 

[Harpo]

Interesting to note in the first preference votes for the Manchester Mayor:

Reform. 111928
Restore. 46289

Restore doing in turn to Reform, what Reform has done to the Tories?

 

[D1537]

Interesting to note in the first preference votes for the Manchester Mayor:

Reform. 111928
Restore. 46289

Restore doing in turn to Reform, what Reform has done to the Tories?

Although this was a Supplementary Vote so I suspect most of the Restore votes ticked Reform as 2nd choice (the Reform candidate gained 45,250 in the second round).

It's an interesting case though; in this election Labour were well ahead so it didn't make any difference, but losing 30% of your vote to a rival far-right party should be a bit of a worry for Reform...

 

[52290]

If only Binface could win, would he be aloud to wear that in parliament? That would really make the rest of the world press have a field day.

I think that Sir Lindsay will tell him, in his rich Chorley accent, to take his bin off his head.

 

[muz379]

Interesting to note in the first preference votes for the Manchester Mayor:

Reform. 111928
Restore. 46289

Restore doing in turn to Reform, what Reform has done to the Tories?

Wasn't really an issue that caused Reform to lose last night because the first preference vote for Labour was vastly higher than the Reform, Restore and Even the Tory vote put together.

But if that were to be replicated in some constituencies at a general election it could certainly lead to some disappointments for Reform in key target seats and even some they currently hold, some of the current Reform MP's aren't sitting on huge majorities. Sarah Pochin in fact is sitting on a 6 vote majority so it's likely that a Restore candidate at the next general election could result in her losing the seat.

I think Reform might have been able to do better if they had more sustained campaigning and higher profile people out with the candidate, but the activists are being encouraged to spend their time in Clacton campaigning against a guy that goes round dressed as a bin instead.

 

[Harpo]

activists are being encouraged to spend their time in Clacton campaigning against a guy that goes round dressed as a bin instead.

Can’t have the dear leader lose after his ‘wow is me’ flounce.

 

[The exile]

Whilst I understand the reasons the other parties not running, it also demonstrates the lack of interest from these parties to the people of Clacton and how democracy works.

I don’t think it does. They are respecting the result of the last general election, at which the people of Clacton elected an MP to serve a full term until the next general election, not until that person threw a hissy fit.
The fact that they are also refusing to play Farage’s game is not only neither here nor there, but actually shows far more respect for the principles of duty and a stable democracy than standing would have done.

 

[OLJR]

SO, is reform a company, mascaraing as a political party, or a political party, that seems to be a company?

Companies are used for lots of things, so why is it an issue that Reform is constituted this way? Genuine question please, I'm not defending Reform.

 

[brad465]

Companies are used for lots of things, so why is it an issue that Reform is constituted this way? Genuine question please, I'm not defending Reform.

The leader has much tighter control of the party in "company" form than in a typical party form; they certainly can't be ousted in the conventional manner. While I can't say for sure, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some sort of loophole that can be exploited financially as well by having it as a company.

 

[Bald Rick]

When he wins, NF will surely come out (not like that, behave) and say that it a resounding victory that fully justifies him calling a by election, etc etc.

Incidentslly his odds of winning have shortened considerably; The Count is 20/1. NF is effectively 1/20.

It’s a 2 count race.

 

[The Ham]

NF will surely come out (not like that, behave)

I think if anyone within Reform did (not that I'm suggesting anything) then it's likely that Reform would lose a lot of support from the "I'm wanting life like it was in the 50's" or "family values" voting former Tories (anyone else remember his that worked out due the Tories?).

Although given that Grinder melts down when the Republicans have a conference, it may not be that far fetched if there were people inside Reform saying things against LGBT+ whist being within that camp (again not suggesting anything about anyone).

 

[JamesT]

I think if anyone within Reform did (not that I'm suggesting anything) then it's likely that Reform would lose a lot of support from the "I'm wanting life like it was in the 50's" or "family values" voting former Tories (anyone else remember his that worked out due the Tories?).

Although given that Grinder melts down when the Republicans have a conference, it may not be that far fetched if there were people inside Reform saying things against LGBT+ whist being within that camp (again not suggesting anything about anyone).

There’s some interesting stereotyping going on there. Reform have had an openly gay deputy leader/chairman (David Bull) and currently have a gay man on their board elected by the membership (Darren Grimes).

 

[D1537]

There’s some interesting stereotyping going on there. Reform have had an openly gay deputy leader/chairman (David Bull) and currently have a gay man on their board elected by the membership (Darren Grimes).

Let's not pretend that most Reformers are tolerant of gay culture; one of the first things that many of their newly elected councils did was ban Pride Month posters and advertising in libraries, take down rainbow flags, cut any funding that existed etc.

One of them (I forget which) insinuated that they were doing it to "protect children".

 

[martin butler]

Let's not pretend that most Reformers are tolerant of gay culture; one of the first things that many of their newly elected councils did was ban Pride Month posters and advertising in libraries, take down rainbow flags, cut any funding that existed etc.

One of them (I forget which) insinuated that they were doing it to "protect children".

I could imagine the majority of people don't care that much that about how other people live their lives,
unless of course, you're looking for someone else to scapegoat for your own poor life choices
then of course if someone is a minority, looks different, dresses different, IE, stands out from the crowd, then of course, it's all their fault.

 

[muz379]

Can’t have the dear leader lose after his ‘wow is me’ flounce.

Dragging all the activists down there makes it look like he is worried that he might not do as well as hoped. I don't think any credible poll has Nigel Losing in Clacton.

There’s some interesting stereotyping going on there. Reform have had an openly gay deputy leader/chairman (David Bull) and currently have a gay man on their board elected by the membership (Darren Grimes).

Perhaps, although at least in the things I see my local Reform Branch saying online it all has an air of "he's alright for one of those" to it. In the way that suggests to me they would prefer it if it wasn't someone Gay.

Kinda the same thing you often see some of the more Racist end of the Reform membership saying about Zia Yusuf as well.