Farage’s Reform UK Surges as Tory Voters Defect in Droves

[Social Media]

 

The Conservative Party is facing a major crisis as a new poll suggests that a third of its 2024 voters have now switched allegiance to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. This seismic shift in support has propelled Reform to the top of the polls, tying with Labour and surpassing the Tories, dealing a fresh blow to Kemi Badenoch’s leadership.  

 

A weekly tracker poll conducted by Techne UK for *The Independent* reveals that 33% of those who backed the Conservatives last year have now thrown their support behind Reform UK. For the first time, Reform has drawn level with Labour, mirroring findings from a YouGov poll earlier this week. The latest numbers show Reform climbing by one percentage point to 25%, while Labour has dropped one point to the same level. Meanwhile, the Conservatives remain stagnant at 23%, trailing by two points.  

 

Another poll by FindOutNow paints an even bleaker picture for the Tories, placing Reform at 29%, four points ahead of Labour (25%) and a significant 11 points clear of the Conservatives, who have slumped to just 18%. The Liberal Democrats have risen by one point to 13%, while the Greens remain unchanged at 7%.  

 

Reacting to the surge in support for his party, Farage called the polling figures “astonishing,” particularly as they come just after he launched a campaign against Labour’s decision to cancel numerous local election contests in May.  

 

The deepening rift within the Conservative Party is becoming increasingly evident. While shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, a former leadership contender, has refused to rule out a potential deal with Reform, Badenoch’s spokesperson has categorically dismissed any such possibility. The Tory leader has instead responded by unveiling a stringent immigration policy aimed at discouraging low-paid workers from entering the UK—an apparent attempt to reclaim voters who have drifted towards Reform’s hardline stance.  

 

However, Badenoch’s strategy may not be enough to quell the growing discontent within her party. The latest poll results have only intensified the murmurs of dissent, with questions mounting over her leadership just three months into her tenure.  

 

Michela Morizzo, chief executive of Techne UK, described the situation as a moment of reckoning for the Tories. “Our regular tracker poll this week brings continued success for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, who are for the first time neck and neck with the Labour Party. The Conservatives stay steady at 23% of the national vote, but this does mean they are now two points behind both Labour and Reform,” she said.  

 

Morizzo warned that without immediate action, the Conservatives risk becoming uncompetitive in future elections. “At this time, looking towards the next by-elections too, the Tories should do some soul-searching by analysing the reason for this situation. If nothing is done, the risk for the Conservative Party is to lose the appeal and no longer be competitive in the electoral challenges. And this must be done now—time flies, and watchful waiting is not the right strategy, in this historical moment in particular.”  

 

With Reform UK making unprecedented gains and Badenoch struggling to contain the crisis, the political landscape is shifting dramatically. Whether the Conservatives can recover from this exodus of voters remains uncertain, but the urgency for decisive action has never been greater.

 

Based on a report by The Independent 2025-02-08

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Couldn't have happened to a "nicer" party!  RIP the Tories.

[Bkk Brian]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Reform at 29%, four points ahead of Labour (25%)

RIP Labour 

 

https://x.com/OliLondonTV/status/1887820482008797675

 

[brewsterbudgen]

25 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

RIP Labour 

 

https://x.com/OliLondonTV/status/1887820482008797675

 

 

Too early to tell, although grim at the moment.  I very much doubt the polls will be like this in 2028/2029.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Too early to tell, although grim at the moment.  I very much doubt the polls will be like this in 2028/2029.

 

 

31 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Couldn't have happened to a "nicer" party!  RIP the Tories.

Too early to tell 

[brewsterbudgen]

17 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

 

 

Too early to tell 

Are you old enough to remember the early 1980s when the SDP was formed?  The Thatcher government was as unpopular as the current government and polls suggested the SDP would hold the balance of power or even win power, in alliance with other parties. Of course it was too early to make such a prediction!  Maybe Starmer needs a Falklands war to come to his rescue.

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Are you old enough to remember the early 1980s when the SDP was formed?  The Thatcher government was as unpopular as the current government and polls suggested the SDP would hold the balance of power or even win power, in alliance with other parties. Of course it was too early to make such a prediction!  Maybe Starmer needs a Falklands war to come to his rescue.

Lighten up, calling out your double standards. It wasn't too early for you to say RIP for the Tories..........but to early to say it for Labour.

[Chomper Higgot]

The rightwing at each other’s throats and not much talk of Badenoch being a fantastic choice for Tory leader (remember that?!)

 

Labour can let the dust settle then go after Farage on the thing that really winds him up but is also a key voter concern. Farage’s plans to replace the NHS with a US styled individual insurance model.

 

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

The rightwing at each other’s throats and not much talk of Badenoch being a fantastic choice for Tory leader (remember that?!)

 

Labour can let the dust settle then go after Farage on the thing that really winds him up but is also a key voter concern. Farage’s plans to replace the NHS with a US styled individual insurance model.

 

Are they? Not noticed it. I know you'd like to think they are.

[brewsterbudgen]

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Lighten up, calling out your double standards. It wasn't too early for you to say RIP for the Tories..........but to early to say it for Labour.

True.  I don't doubt the possibility of a revival by the Tories, but it would have to be at the expense of Reform.  And I think they will need a new leader.

[hotsun]

By the time farage takes office the UK will already be part of the middle east

[Chomper Higgot]

9 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

True.  I don't doubt the possibility of a revival by the Tories, but it would have to be at the expense of Reform.  And I think they will need a new leader.

Don’t ever count the Tories out, they are a real political party and they have one driving ethos, gain power and deliver for the rich.

 

Reform UK have no party structure and is in truth a Private ltd company with full control of policy in the hands of the owners.
 

They make easy promises but get slippery and slimy when challenged.

 

 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, hotsun said:

By the time farage takes office the UK will already be part of the middle east

There’s always at least one.

 

 

[James105]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The rightwing at each other’s throats and not much talk of Badenoch being a fantastic choice for Tory leader (remember that?!)

 

Labour can let the dust settle then go after Farage on the thing that really winds him up but is also a key voter concern. Farage’s plans to replace the NHS with a US styled individual insurance model.

 

 

The Tories are not right wing.  They presided over uncontrolled immigration, record taxes, record growth in the size of the state (not the economy), record funding without improvements to the NHS and adopted authoritarian measures rather than personal responsibility during covid and embraced the net zero scam.   I am unable to distinguish them from the Labour party.  

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

The Tories are not right wing.  They presided over uncontrolled immigration, record taxes, record growth in the size of the state (not the economy), record funding without improvements to the NHS and adopted authoritarian measures rather than personal responsibility during covid and embraced the net zero scam.   I am unable to distinguish them from the Labour party.  

They also delivered huge increases in wealth to the already rich, which is their party objective.

 

Don’t underestimate the Tories, they’ll be back 

 

Whether before or after the booze and fags get Farage is yet to be seen.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Don’t ever count the Tories out, they are a real political party and they have one driving ethos, gain power and deliver for the rich.

 

Reform UK have no party structure and is in truth a Private ltd company with full control of policy in the hands of the owners.
 

They make easy promises but get slippery and slimy when challenged.

 

 

Here come the slurs of Reform from the far left............

 

Had to be expected since they are doing so well in the polls

[phetphet]

Labour have done themselves no favours. especially removing the winter fuel allowance, and paying the train drivers wage demands.

 

Starmer is two faced. In this modern age, with every speech politicians make likely to be recorded, his flip flopping to suit his agenda is widely published in the media.

 

Nowadays both Labour and the Conservatives full of nonentities. Where are the political heavyweights of old?

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Labour have done themselves no favours. especially removing the winter fuel allowance, and paying the train drivers wage demands.

 

Starmer is two faced. In this modern age, with every speech politicians make likely to be recorded, his flip flopping to suit his agenda is widely published in the media.

 

Nowadays both Labour and the Conservatives full of nonentities. Where are the political heavyweights of old?

Labour have not ‘removed the winter fuel allowance’ they have ‘means tested it.

 

The train drivers are happy, and commuters can reliably commute.

[Bkk Brian]

29 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Labour have not ‘removed the winter fuel allowance’ they have ‘means tested it.

 

The train drivers are happy, and commuters can reliably commute.

Hardly! Depends where you travel and when

 

When is the next train strike? Dates and affected lines for February 2025
Strikes on Avanti West Coast services by RMT train managers are disrupting travel every weekend for five months

https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-rail-strikes-092022

[Bannoi]

Doesn't surprise me at all every time I see Badenoch on the TV I either switch it off or change channels I can't stand her or the look of her and could never vote for her to be Prime Minister of the UK which means not voting Tory what were they thinking.

 

The Conservative Party's membership has been taken over by a bunch of feminists or worse! first they elect Truss who was a disaster now Badenoch, the membership can't be trusted to elect a possible Prime Minister untill she goes and is replaced by someone who at least looks and acts like a Prime minister of the UK they are doomed.

[Jeff the Chef]

27 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Labour have done themselves no favours. especially removing the winter fuel allowance, and paying the train drivers wage demands.

 

Starmer is two faced. In this modern age, with every speech politicians make likely to be recorded, his flip flopping to suit his agenda is widely published in the media.

 

Nowadays both Labour and the Conservatives full of nonentities. Where are the political heavyweights of old?

 The Labourites are all "career politicians" most have never been out in the real world, never been through the cut and thrust of local politics/unions etc

[Bannoi]

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Hardly! Depends where you travel and when

 

When is the next train strike? Dates and affected lines for February 2025
Strikes on Avanti West Coast services by RMT train managers are disrupting travel every weekend for five months

https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-rail-strikes-092022

Bring back British Rail I really miss those rock hard sandwiches

[Thingamabob]

Still going to be tough for Reform to progress to election-winning mode given Britain's first past the post electoral system.

[milesinnz]

The consequence of the entitled arrogance of the established Parties, who refuse to listen to the People...

[Purdey]

How many times has Farage met with Clacton voters?

He prefers to go to the US.

He will lose his seat at the next election.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

21 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

The consequence of the entitled arrogance of the established Parties, who refuse to listen to the People...

 

Absolutely, right on the money; it has already happened in Italy, and is happening now in France, Sweden, and even Germany. Europeans did not vote for uncontrolled immigration and the prioritisation of tiny minorities over the majority; despite his numerous faults, Trump has read the room correctly over this woke nonsense.