A former Lib Dem councillor is among 29 fresh defections to Reform UK, Nigel Farage has revealed, despite what he described as “turbulence” within his party after he suspended an MP facing bullying allegations.
As the party grapples with infighting that threatens the group’s soaring popularity, with ousted MP Rupert Lowe denying the allegations against him, Mr Farage was joined by fellow Reform MPs and chair Zia Yusuf at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London to announce a slew of councillor defections ahead of local elections in May.
Techne’s weekly tracker poll for The Independent has shown Reform falling to its lowest point since January in the wake of Mr Farage’s suspension of Mr Lowe over claims that he made threats against Mr Yusuf, which he denies.
Tensions between Mr Lowe and Mr Farage have simmered since Elon Musk said that the former Southampton FC chair would be a better Reform leader than Mr Farage.
Meanwhile, the government is expected to set out plans for welfare reform in an effort to get more people back to work and cut the cost of a benefits bill.
Key Points
- Nigel Farage tetchy as journalists question him over Rupert Lowe row
- Lib Dem councillor among latest defections to Reform
- Government faces growing backlash within its own ranks over welfare reforms
- Fresh blow to Rachel Reeves as UK’s economic forecast slashed
- Rachel Reeves summons regulators to Downing Street to cut bureaucracy
Mike Amesbury ‘devastated’ to stand down as MP today
13:55
,
Andy Gregory
Mike Amesbury has said that he is “devastated” to stand down as an MP today, telling GB News that “as from today I will no longer be the Member ofParliament for Runcorn and Helsby after nearly eight years as being an MP”.
The former Labour MP said last week he would quit the Commons after he was given a 10-week prison term for punching a constituent which was reduced to a suspended sentence following an appeal.
He said he was “sad” and “devastated”, adding: “Not only for me, but ... my staff as well, because, course, it goes beyond me, for my family. This is a result of something that I did on October 26.”
Asked about the incident, Amesbury said “I should have walked away” and “I don't recognise myself”, adding: “But it is me, and it's very important that I've owned that through the legal process ... a plea of guilty”
He continued: “I’ve paid a price, I’ve been punished and rightfully so, and I hope that I learn from this.”
Apologising to the constituent he punched, he said: “I'm so sincerely sorry to Mr Fellows, his family, my own family”, and described reliving the moment as “like a living nightmare”.
Who is the Lib Dem councillor who defected to Reform?
13:45
,
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent
It is an unlikely transition, from Sir Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, but Reg Kain made the jump last week and was given a hero’s welcome at the party’s press conference on Monday.
At the time of his defection, he told the BBC that Reform was “the only mainstream party at this time that is genuinely listening to the concerns and needs of the British people”.
“I intend to be a moderate and constructive voice within Reform, helping to shape a party that truly represents the interests of ordinary people,” he added.
He was elected to Cheshire East Council in May 2023 and became the council’s first Reform UK member when he defected.
Farage denies having ‘assassinated his enemies’
13:34
,
Andy Gregory
Nigel Farage has denied having “politically assassinated his enemies”, after MP Rupert Lowe was suspended over bullying allegations just days after he described the Reform UK leader as “messianic”.
Asked whether he was somebody who did this, Mr Farage said: “No. They normally do it to themselves.”
Mr Farage added that he had been “appalled” by some of the comments made about party chair Zia Yusuf.
He said “racism” and “abuse” had been taking place online and claimed that, if it had been directed towards any senior member of the Tories or Labour, then it would be a “major national story”.
Mr Farage was also asked about suggestions that billionaire X owner Elon Musk could be open to donating to another political party.
He replied: “Great, thank you.”
Farage tetchy over Rupert Lowe row in press huddle
13:23
,
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent
Nigel Farage has for decades been one of the UK’s best politicians when it comes to dealing with the media.
But a different side of the Reform UK leader was on show when he was asked about Rupert Lowe after his press conference on Monday.
Mr Farage was tetchy, snappy and at one point attempted to scarper off amid questions about his former MP.
He insisted discontent among Reform members was contained to the fringes of the party, and refused to mention Mr Lowe by name. He even repeatedly said “I’m bored” of being asked about the bitter spat which rocked the party this month.
Elsewhere in his post-conference huddle with journalists, he gave snappy one-word answers and even challenged a journalist to prove they had written an article they claimed to have.
It was a far cry from the charming Brexiteer who has long known how to put his best foot forwards when the cameras are rolling.
Andy Burnham urges ‘caution’ over benefits reforms
13:17
,
Andy Gregory
Andy Burnham has urged “caution on how changes are made” to the benefits system, after an outcry from some Labour MPs over the planned reforms.
Writing in The Times, the Greater Manchester mayor said that Sir Keir Starmer is “right” and “the British state is not sustainable in its current form” but said the government should focus on helping people into work rather than simply cutting benefits.
He said: “I would share concerns about changing support and eligibility to benefits while leaving the top-down system broadly in place. It would trap too many people in poverty.
“And to be clear: there is no case in any scenario for cutting the support available to disabled people who are unable to work.”
No10: Benefits overhaul driven by moral and economic duty, not fiscal pressures
12:55
,
Jabed Ahmed
There is a moral and economic case to overhaul the benefits system, Downing Street said, denying the plans were purely because of the UK Government’s difficult fiscal situation.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “I think the Prime Minister has been clear there is both a moral and an economic case for fixing our broken social security system that’s holding our people back, and our country back.
“Three million people are out of work for health reasons, and one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training.
“So we’ve got a duty to fix the system, to ensure that that safety net is always there for the most vulnerable and severely disabled, but also supports back into work, rather than leaving people written off.”
Asked if the reforms were being carried out because of the UK’s fiscal backdrop, the spokesman replied: “No, I think when you look at the fact that we have the highest level of working-age inactivity due to ill health in western Europe, we’re the only major economy whose employment rate hasn’t recovered since the pandemic, there is a duty to fix the broken system that is letting millions of people in this country down.
For context,
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall is expected to set out plans for welfare reform on Tuesday in an effort to get more people back to work and cut the cost of a benefits bill.
However, there has been an outcry from some Labour MPs over the reforms.
Watch | Nigel Farage addresses Rupert Lowe 'turbulence'
12:50
,
Jabed Ahmed
What patterns do we see with the councillor defections?
12:49
,
Jabed Ahmed
Strong Conservative shift
Nearly half of the defections (13 out of 29) were former Conservative councillors. 10 were previously independent, and perhaps most surprisingly, one Liberal Democrat.
It is well known that Reform UK’s strategy centres around appealing to disillusioned Tory voters.
Geographical spread
There are notably multiple councillors from Kent, Powys, and South Holland, suggesting potential strongholds or areas where dissatisfaction with mainstream parties is high.
Nigel Farage: ‘We are growing… we are strengthening’
12:30
,
Jabed Ahmed
Nigel Farage has unveiled 29 councillors who have defected from parties including the Conservatives, independents and even a Liberal Democrat to Reform UK.
After the announcement, Mr Farage said: “We are growing, we are building we are deepening we are broadening we are strengthening, we are getting ready for the first of May.”
Analysis | Rupert Lowe row not dampening Reform’s spirits
12:22
,
Archie Mitchell
Nigel Farage is never one to beat around the bush, but he just explained his way around the Rupert Lowe row with a heavy dose of spin.
The Reform leader said there had been “turbulence” in the party, but that any discontent was around the edges.
It comes despite polling showing a drop in support for Mr Farage as leader in recent weeks amid the row.
He said: “But I can promise you that in terms of our progress and our planning, that upset is very much at the edges.”
Tory vote in Runcorn will be total waste, Farage claims
12:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
Nigel Farage is pitching for Runcorn and Helsby voters to back Reform UK in a bid to oust Labour in the by-election to replace Mike Amesbury.
The party leader said a vote for the Conservatives would be a total waste, urging voters to rebel against Sir Keir’s party.
Starmer using ‘Brexit freedoms’ to stand tall on world stage
12:17
,
Archie Mitchell
Nigel Farage has said Sir Keir Starmer is using “Brexit freedoms” to stand tall on the world stage.
The Reform UK leader said the prime minister has been able to succeed as a statesman because of the UK’s role outside the European Union - as a bridge between Europe and America.
But despite the praise for his diplomacy, Mr Farage said the next election will be decided on domestic issues such as immigration and the cost of living, with Sir Keir having “not got off to a very good start”.
Reform UK has ‘stunning momentum’, Yusuf says
12:13
,
Archie Mitchell
Zia Yusuf said today’s announcement will underscore the “stunning momentum” behind Reform UK.
The party chairman said that, “in the last eight months, reform has delivered the most historic acceleration politically in British history”.
“We are now looking ahead to 1 May (local elections),” Mr Yusuf said.
He has now handed over to Reform leader Nigel Farage, describing him as “the next prime minister of the United Kingdom”.
Nigel Farage set to announce councillor defections
12:10
,
Jabed Ahmed
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to announce that 29 local councillors have defected to the party ahead of local elections in May.
Our Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell is attending the press conference at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London.
We will be bringing you the latest lines from the conference.
Explained | What welfare cuts could Labour announce tomorrow? From PIP to Universal Credit
11:57
,
Jabed Ahmed
More details on the rumoured billions in welfare cuts Labour plans to announce this week have been revealed as reports indicate ministers are looking to shave £6 billion from disability benefits claimed by millions of people.
My colleague Albert Toth explains:
News analysis | Why Lee Anderson was called ‘a total k**b’ and what it means for Farage, Reform and Rupert Lowe
11:52
,
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox highlights the parallels between Lee Anderson's past and current political controversies.
In 2024, Mr Anderson, known for his outspoken views, was expelled from the Conservative Party after refusing to retract comments linking London Mayor Sadiq Khan to terrorism.
Subsequently, the Ashfield MP joined Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage.
A year later, as Reform UK's Chief Whip, Mr Anderson played a role in suspending Rupert Lowe over allegations of bullying.
There is an irony in Mr Anderson's journey from being ousted for insubordination to enforcing party discipline, David Maddox writes.
Read the full analysis from David here.
Starmer's diary | New Canadian leader Mark Carney expected to meet PM and King
11:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer and the King are due to host the new Prime Minister of Canada today.
The PM will meet with the ex-governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney, as he undertakes his first foreign trips since being sworn into office in Canada last week.
Canada has been taking part in discussions around a coalition of countries willing to contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, and it comes amid tensions between Ottawa and Washington DC.
For context,
Mr Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Canada last week.
He served as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, the first non-Briton to hold the position.
Rachel Reeves summons regulators to Downing Street to cut bureaucracy
11:32
,
Jabed Ahmed
There is “too much bureaucracy” which is making it “too slow to get things done” across the UK, Rachel Reeves has told regulators.
The chancellor told watchdog chiefs on Monday morning she wanted to reduce duplication by regulators.
Speaking as the meeting began, Ms Reeves said: “You know that the number one mission of this Government is to grow the economy. There are a number of things over the last decade or so that have held back growth, and one of them – if we are honest and you know better than anyone – is the regulatory landscape.
“Too much overlapping regulation, too much bureaucracy, too slow to get things done. It is something that myself and other ministers hear all the time.”
The Chancellor is expected to unveil 60 measures Britain’s regulators have agreed to take in order to boost economic growth following Monday’s meeting.
For context,
The Labour government have stepped up its efforts to cut red tape across all departments.
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer announced that NHS England – an administrative body dubbed the world’s largest quango – would be scrapped as part of efforts to cut costs and boost economic growth.
As well as abolishing NHS England, the government has already announced plans to fold the Payments Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Ms Reeves is likely to scrap more regulators.
Fresh blow to Rachel Reeves as UK’s economic forecast slashed
11:27
,
Jabed Ahmed
Rachel Reeves’ mission to grow the UK economy has taken yet another knock, as the country’s economic forecast has been slashed as a result of a mounting trade war sparked by Donald Trump’s global tariffs.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) cut its predictions for UK growth to 1.4 per cent in 2025 and 1.2 per cent in 2026, down from 1.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent in its previous predictions.
The graph below shows the OECD economic outlook predictions for countries across the world as US president Donald Trump’s tariff war begins to bite:
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke has the full report on the OECD’s projections here.
Government faces growing backlash within its own ranks over welfare reforms
11:20
,
Jabed Ahmed
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall is expected to set out plans for welfare reform on Tuesday in an effort to get more people back to work and cut the cost of a benefits bill.
However, there has been an outcry from some Labour MPs over the reforms.
Several backbenchers have expressed frustration at the lack of communication from ministers, with one describing “engagement sessions” held by Number 10 as a “tickbox exercise” and another saying many of their colleagues had made it clear they would vote against such proposals.
But, Emma Reynolds, the economic secretary to the treasury, said Labour backbenchers are “jumping to conclusions” about expected reforms to the welfare system before the plans are confirmed.
Coming up | Reform UK press conference
11:16
,
Jabed Ahmed
Nigel Farage will lead a Reform UK press conference as the party grapples with a bitter feud that threatens the group’s soaring popularity.
The Reform leader will be joined by MPs Richard Tice, Lee Anderson, James McMurdock and chairman Zia Yusuf at the Royal Horseguards Hotel, London.
It comes as Techne’s weekly tracker poll for The Independent has shown Reform falling to its lowest point since January in the wake of Mr Farage’s suspension of fellow Reform MP Rupert Lowe over claims that he made threats against Mr Yusuf.
For context,
A police investigation has been launched into claims of “verbal threats” allegedly made by MP Rupert Lowe.
The 67-year-old MP for Great Yarmouth was suspended by Reform UK amid allegations about his conduct, which he denies.
Reform said Mr Lowe had been reported to the police over alleged “threats of physical violence” to party chairman Zia Yusuf.
It also claimed that two women working in the MP’s offices had made complaints about “workplace bullying” and “derogatory remarks”.
Mr Lowe has strenuously denied the claims.
Welcome to our live politics coverage
11:14
,
Jabed Ahmed
Good morning,
Welcome to The Independent’s live politics coverage.
We will be bringing you the latest from Reform UK’s press conference and the growing backlash on the government’s welfare reforms.