Farage’s Political Earthquake Begins to Rattle Britain’s Foundations

[Social Media]

 

Farage’s Political Earthquake Begins to Rattle Britain’s Foundations

 

A tremor long promised by Nigel Farage is now unmistakably shaking the pillars of British politics. After a dramatic night of local elections, the political landscape appears to be shifting in a way that could reshape the future of the two-party system. Reform UK, the party Farage has tirelessly promoted as a force for disruption, has delivered a seismic blow by winning votes from both Labour and the Conservatives, and most notably, capturing the Runcorn and Helsby by-election—a once-safe Labour stronghold.

 

 

This result marks a turning point. The North West victory is more than just a local upset; it represents a record-breaking and symbolic breakthrough for Reform UK, signalling the maturation of a party often dismissed as a fringe movement. Reform UK is now challenging the political orthodoxy, not just nibbling at the edges of Conservative support but making inroads into Labour’s traditional base.

 

Across the country, Reform UK posted vote shares exceeding 40% in several contests—double their share from the last general election. They managed to take a seat from the Liberal Democrats and pushed both major parties to the brink in multiple contests. But it was their victory in Runcorn and Helsby—the 49th-safest Labour seat in the UK—that truly shook expectations. The win was the result of strategic focus, with Nigel Farage and party chairman Zia Yusuf dedicating considerable resources and personal presence to the campaign. Their ground game proved decisive.

 

In stark contrast, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer did not visit the constituency once during the campaign. As the dust settles, Downing Street may be wondering if a single prime ministerial appearance could have swung those crucial six votes needed to avert defeat. The implications of Reform UK's triumph are profound.

 

At the last general election, over 150 constituencies were lost by the Conservatives because the number of Reform UK votes exceeded the margin of defeat. Now, Labour faces a similar threat. Reform UK has proven they can disrupt both left and right, putting Britain’s traditional political parties on high alert. Labour has already begun to adjust in response—cutting the foreign aid budget to bolster military spending and pledging reductions to Whitehall operations.

 

Yet there is growing evidence that such repositioning may alienate parts of Labour’s base. In several council by-elections, Green Party gains suggest a drift of left-leaning voters who feel Labour no longer speaks for them. Reform UK’s encroachment is not merely a threat to the right or the centre, but a signal of political realignment that could erode old loyalties.

 

For the Conservatives, the challenge is equally sharp. The idea of a non-aggression pact on the right now seems far-fetched, especially as Reform UK’s success in Labour territory raises questions about their ideological placement. With victories that transcend traditional partisan lines, Reform UK is positioning itself not just as an alternative party of the right, but as a broader populist force.

 

The truth is, no one yet knows how far-reaching these changes will be. What is clear is that Nigel Farage’s long-anticipated political earthquake is no longer a warning—it is happening. British politics is entering a new era, and the path ahead is more uncertain, volatile, and contested than ever.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from Sky News  2025-05-03

 

 

[Stocky]

Reform have largely been a single issue party simply throwing stones from the side-lines, they now have 10 councils to run. It will be interesting to see how they fare.

[James105]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Downing Street may be wondering if a single prime ministerial appearance could have swung those crucial six votes needed to avert defeat. The implications of Reform UK's triumph are profound.

 

Don't be ridiculous.  If that clown had turned up with his sniveling, nasally, 2 tiered voice armed with his 3 word slogans on repeat mode the result would have swung even further in favor of Reform.  He is the most hated, detested PM in my lifetime.   If he had any self awareness whatsoever and cared one iota for what is best for the people of the UK he would have already resigned and called for another general election so people can elect someone more competent to run the country.  

[RuamRudy]

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

Don't be ridiculous.  If that clown had turned up with his sniveling, nasally, 2 tiered voice armed with his 3 word slogans on repeat mode the result would have swung even further in favor of Reform.  He is the most hated, detested PM in my lifetime.   If he had any self awareness whatsoever and cared one iota for what is best for the people of the UK he would have already resigned and called for another general election so people can elect someone more competent to run the country.  

 

Can you point to any current UK leaders more competent?

[Chomper Higgot]

Reform now move from a party complaining about other people’s failures to deliver to a party that must now itself deliver.

 

Reform’s failure to vet their candidates who are now in public office and therefore open to public scrutiny is going to make for some interesting times ahead.

 

 

[James105]

2 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Can you point to any current UK leaders more competent?

 

In the Labour party?  No I cannot.   They are all clowns.  This is why I said if he genuinely cares about the UK or had any self awareness he would call for an early general election so this mistake can be corrected as even if he steps down another clown would take his place.   

 

Outside of the Labour party then Jenrick or Farage would be an improvement if they back up their words with actions.   

[James105]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Reform now move from a party complaining about other people’s failures to deliver to a party that must now itself deliver.

 

Reform’s failure to vet their candidates who are now in public office and therefore open to public scrutiny is going to make for some interesting times ahead.

 

 

 

You mean like the excellent vetting the Labour party carry out? 

 

 

[RuamRudy]

Personally, I have never voted Labour in my life so I am no Starmer fanboy but when I look across the various options for UK leader I see no talent whatsoever; most are simply grifters furiously milking the sickness of populism for all its' worth. Our politics is so very badly poisoned at all levels.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

 

This is a seismic and very welcome shift in the landscape of British politics. The British public are slowly shaking off their usual somnolent, laissez-faire attitude towards politics, and are finally rebelling against the tidal wave of illegal, mostly Islamic immigration.

 

And make no mistake, this is the issue at the root of this rebellion; thousands of undocumented, mostly young muslim men, invading the UK must not just stop, but be reversed, and neither of the two main parties seem willing to do this. Labour haven’t helped their cause with the cancellation of the winter fuel allowance, but the driving force behind this sea-change is unacceptable levels of immigration. 

 

The tide is finally turning; and albeit it late, it will now gain an unstoppable momentum …. yippee.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

20 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

You mean like the excellent vetting the Labour party carry out? 

 

 

No I didn’t mean but but but… whatabout.

 

I was sticking to the topic of discussion.

 

Give it a try.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

33 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Reform now move from a party complaining about other people’s failures to deliver to a party that must now itself deliver

 

Well I’m sure a Reform Council will not give free rein to the muslim rape gangs that are still operating with impunity all over the UK, in the same way that both Labour and Tory councils have; hope that doesn’t upset you too much.

 

 

 

[johnnybangkok]

48 minutes ago, James105 said:

He is the most hated, detested PM in my lifetime.   

Margaret Thatcher - 'Hold my beer!"

I don't neccessarily see this as a win for Reform rather a loss for Labour. The 'party of the people' has gone against the very people who voted for them by withdrawing the winter fuel allowance  from most pensioners and looking to cut the personal independence payments (Pips) for disabled people. On top of this is the continued drama with illegal immigrants which Reform uses as a bedrock of everything it's about. Couple with this with the increase in N.I. and Labour look like the Tories. Starmer isn't popular and is seen as weak and ineffective.

 

Labour came to power with one of the largest parliamentary majorites ever (411 seat out of 650) but have struggled to 'balance the books' and are seen as punishing the very people it was supposed to help. Things need to change and change quickly otherwise these local elections will just be a precursor for a big win in the next general election.  

 

[Bkk Brian]

11 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

 

This is a seismic and very welcome shift in the landscape of British politics. The British public are slowly shaking off their usual somnolent, laissez-faire attitude towards politics, and are finally rebelling against the tidal wave of illegal, mostly Islamic immigration.

 

And make no mistake, this is the issue at the root of this rebellion; thousands of undocumented, mostly young muslim men, invading the UK must not just stop, but be reversed, and neither of the two main parties seem willing to do this. Labour haven’t helped their cause with the cancellation of the winter fuel allowance, but the driving force behind this sea-change is unacceptable levels of immigration. 

 

The tide is finally turning; and albeit it late, it will now gain an unstoppable momentum …. yippee.

 

 

Yep, Starmer even had to go to the Times and write a lengthy opinion piece after that earthquake. He's reeling.........lol

 

"We hear voters’ anger and Labour will deliver"

 

Desperate times for Labour

[johnnybangkok]

13 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

 

This is a seismic and very welcome shift in the landscape of British politics. The British public are slowly shaking off their usual somnolent, laissez-faire attitude towards politics, and are finally rebelling against the tidal wave of illegal, mostly Islamic immigration.

 

And make no mistake, this is the issue at the root of this rebellion; thousands of undocumented, mostly young muslim men, invading the UK must not just stop, but be reversed, and neither of the two main parties seem willing to do this. Labour haven’t helped their cause with the cancellation of the winter fuel allowance, but the driving force behind this sea-change is unacceptable levels of immigration. 

 

The tide is finally turning; and albeit it late, it will now gain an unstoppable momentum …. yippee.

 

 

It's only an issue because people like Farage are making it an issue - stirring up racial and religous matters when the real problems are to be found in a stagnant economy and declining GDP.

It's the oldest trick in the political book; get the working man to blame the immigrants for all the problems in their life even though the country is run by billionaires and corporations. It always reminds me of the joke; Billionaire, worker and immigrant sitting at a table with 20 biscuits. The billionaire takes 19 of them and turns to the worker and says ' watch out, the immigrant is going to take yours away'. Yet people can't see it (including yourself). They just continue to fight among themselves for the scraps, blaming people who have little choice in their life but to try and find something better even if it means putting themselves and their children in harm’s way, whilst the billionaires and corporations sit back and laugh about how much they are still getting away with it and how no one is blaming them.

 

It's a helluva con but an effective one.

  

[Bkk Brian]

8 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Well I’m sure a Reform Council will not give free rein to the muslim rape gangs that are still operating with impunity all over the UK, in the same way that both Labour and Tory councils have; hope that doesn’t upset you too much.

 

 

 

Indeed, that cost him votes for sure in these elections.

 

Starmer’s tenure as PM is scarred by grooming gang failures
Local elections look set to show how loathed the party has become after whirlwind of broken promises

https://archive.ph/iRnzj

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Well I’m sure a Reform Council will not give free rein to the muslim rape gangs that are still operating with impunity all over the UK, in the same way that both Labour and Tory councils have; hope that doesn’t upset you too much.

 

 

 

Why would your fictitious representation of reality upset me? 
 

Reform getting responsibility and accountability to deal with problems rather than sniping from the sidelines is a good thing.

 

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

11 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

It's only an issue because people like Farage are making it an issue - stirring up racial and religous matters when the real problems are to be found in a stagnant economy and declining GDP.

It's the oldest trick in the political book; get the working man to blame the immigrants for all the problems in their life even though the country is run by billionaires and corporations. It always reminds me of the joke; Billionaire, worker and immigrant sitting at a table with 20 biscuits. The billionaire takes 19 of them and turns to the worker and says ' watch out, the immigrant is going to take yours away'. Yet people can't see it (including yourself). They just continue to fight among themselves for the scraps, blaming people who have little choice in their life but to try and find something better even if it means putting themselves and their children in harm’s way, whilst the billionaires and corporations sit back and laugh about how much they are still getting away with it and how no one is blaming them.

 

It's a helluva con but an effective one.

  

 

 

Another virtue signaller with his head in the sand. I am from the UK and still go back regularly. I have hundreds of friends all over the country, including Hindu Indians, Sikh Indians, Lebanese christians, Polish, German, French, and Italian; and everyone of them is vehemently against the undocumented immigration of young muslin men; that is because they have all integrated seamlessly into UK society, something the muslims do not, and have no intention of, ever doing.

 

Go to the UK and have a look for yourself; go and see the insular Sharia practising muslim communities in Bradford, Huddersfield, Rotherham and elsewhere, where anyone from the indigenous population are not welcome.    …… Guardian reader Johnny ?

 

 

 

 

[quake]

Jolly good show.

keep up the good work Reform. 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

26 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Why would your fictitious representation of reality upset me? 

 

Fictitious ?

 

Were you not aware of the muslim rape gangs that have been operating in the UK for the last 30 years, and how both Labour and Tory councils enabled them.

If you lived in the UK you could watch the Channel 4 documentary “Groomed, A National Scandal” … however it does not paint muslins in a very good light, so best you give it a miss eh.

 

 

 

 

[johnnybangkok]

49 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

 

Another virtue signaller with his head in the sand. I am from the UK and still go back regularly. I have hundreds of friends all over the country, including Hindu Indians, Sikh Indians, Lebanese christians, Polish, German, French, and Italian; and everyone of them is vehemently against the undocumented immigration of young muslin men; that is because they have all integrated seamlessly into UK society, something the muslims do not, and have no intention of, ever doing.

 

Go to the UK and have a look for yourself; go and see the insular Sharia practising muslim communities in Bradford, Huddersfield, Rotherham and elsewhere, where anyone from the indigenous population are not welcome.    …… Guardian reader Johnny ?

 

 

 

 

I'm British and regularly go back to the UK (in fact I'm off there again in 3 weeks). I also still have a flat in Whitechapel, one of the most muslim dominated areas of London. I have plenty of muslim friends and they have integrated very well thank you very much and very much consider themselves as English. Perhaps Bradford, Huddersfield and Rotherham (I don't know, haven't been there for a while) have issues but these isues are exagerated by the likes of Reform who (like yourself) are all about pointing out differences rather than commonality in an attempt to be relevant. 

 

No one is advocated for illegal immigrants. This something people like yourself love to conflate because in your mind since I'm pointing out the demonisation of immigrants I must condone illegal immigrants. I don't. I'm just pointing out this 'it's all the immigrants fault' is purile and frankly stupid. It's an issue (no one again is denying this) but in the grander scheme of things I would suggest large corporations not paying their fair share of tax or billionaires hiding their money off-shore or increases in N.I. contributions or doing away with fuel allowances for pensioners or the continued privitisation of the NHS (something Farage has openly admitted to wanting) are FAR more serious issues than illegal immigrants. But you just stick to your right wing talking points, decry us all as 'Gaurdian reading lefties' if it plays more to your echo chamber. I don't think for one minute I'm going to change your mind - because it's just easier for you to demonise rather than accept the nuances involved.

[Chomper Higgot]

51 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Fictitious ?

 

Were you not aware of the muslim rape gangs that have been operating in the UK for the last 30 years, and how both Labour and Tory councils enabled them.

If you lived in the UK you could watch the Channel 4 documentary “Groomed, A National Scandal” … however it does not paint muslins in a very good light, so best you give it a miss eh.

 

 

 

All past tense laced with the fuzzy accusation of ‘enabling’.

 

Back to Reform’s wins.

 

Reform now need to deliver, something that is considerably more difficult than sniping from the sidelines.

 

The range of issues they need to deliver on is considerably broader than your Muslim fixation.

 

 

 

 

[Chelseafan]

6 hours ago, Stocky said:

Reform have largely been a single issue party simply throwing stones from the side-lines, they now have 10 councils to run. It will be interesting to see how they fare.

 

I'm not entirely clear what that issue is to be honest and I suspect if you ask most of their supporters they wouldn't be able to tell you 🙂

 

 

[Chelseafan]

1 hour ago, johnnybangkok said:

I'm British and regularly go back to the UK (in fact I'm off there again in 3 weeks). I also still have a flat in Whitechapel, one of the most muslim dominated areas of London. I have plenty of muslim friends and they have integrated very well thank you very much and very much consider themselves as English. Perhaps Bradford, Huddersfield and Rotherham (I don't know, haven't been there for a while) have issues but these isues are exagerated by the likes of Reform who (like yourself) are all about pointing out differences rather than commonality in an attempt to be relevant. 

 

No one is advocated for illegal immigrants. This something people like yourself love to conflate because in your mind since I'm pointing out the demonisation of immigrants I must condone illegal immigrants. I don't. I'm just pointing out this 'it's all the immigrants fault' is purile and frankly stupid. It's an issue (no one again is denying this) but in the grander scheme of things I would suggest large corporations not paying their fair share of tax or billionaires hiding their money off-shore or increases in N.I. contributions or doing away with fuel allowances for pensioners or the continued privitisation of the NHS (something Farage has openly admitted to wanting) are FAR more serious issues than illegal immigrants. But you just stick to your right wing talking points, decry us all as 'Gaurdian reading lefties' if it plays more to your echo chamber. I don't think for one minute I'm going to change your mind - because it's just easier for you to demonise rather than accept the nuances involved.

 

I wonder how Thais would feel if Nakhon Ratchasima became majority Farang.

 

[JAG]

What about the long awaited Liberal Democrat revival?

 

We haven't had one of those for quite a few years!

 

Beards 0and sandals to the fore! There is yoghurt to be knitted!

[Stocky]

21 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

I'm not entirely clear what that issue is to be honest and I suspect if you ask most of their supporters they wouldn't be able to tell you 🙂

 

 

17 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

I wonder how Thais would feel if Nakhon Ratchasima became majority Farang.

 

Q.E.D.

[James105]

3 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

Margaret Thatcher - 'Hold my beer!"

I don't neccessarily see this as a win for Reform rather a loss for Labour. The 'party of the people' has gone against the very people who voted for them by withdrawing the winter fuel allowance  from most pensioners and looking to cut the personal independence payments (Pips) for disabled people. On top of this is the continued drama with illegal immigrants which Reform uses as a bedrock of everything it's about. Couple with this with the increase in N.I. and Labour look like the Tories. Starmer isn't popular and is seen as weak and ineffective.

 

Labour came to power with one of the largest parliamentary majorites ever (411 seat out of 650) but have struggled to 'balance the books' and are seen as punishing the very people it was supposed to help. Things need to change and change quickly otherwise these local elections will just be a precursor for a big win in the next general election.  

 

 

Labour came into power with the weakest share of the vote to form a majority in history and received less votes than Jeremy Corbyn.   Their majority is a house of cards that was always going to collapse with the first opportunity people got to correct this monumental election error.   They were lucky Reform were not more established as no-one voted for what Labour were offering, they just didn't want to vote for the Tories hence just 20% of the electorate were able to give them an undeserved majority.   

 

It could and should have been worse in the local elections for Labour but these anti-democratic clowns cancelled a lot of the local elections in the UK where Reform were favorites to win.   

 

Starmer is back on his 3 word slogans which is his default cowardly position, with his latest moronic offering being "further and faster" as he is delusional enough to think that people want Labour to do more of what they are doing, just a bit faster.  

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

All past tense laced with the fuzzy accusation of ‘enabling’.

 

Back to Reform’s wins.

 

Reform now need to deliver, something that is considerably more difficult than sniping from the sidelines.

 

The range of issues they need to deliver on is considerably broader than your Muslim fixation.

 

 

 

 

Its the past tense which cost Labour so dearly, their past performance, which was well documented and as a result proved so costly as predicted by so many. The Muslim problem was one of the major ones as evidenced so many times, its not a fixation thing, nice try.

 

Then again, things were so bad for Labour the even the Green party made gains against them.

 

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Yet there is growing evidence that such repositioning may alienate parts of Labour’s base. In several council by-elections, Green Party gains suggest a drift of left-leaning voters who feel Labour no longer speaks for them. Reform UK’s encroachment is not merely a threat to the right or the centre, but a signal of political realignment that could erode old loyalties.

 

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

All past tense laced with the fuzzy accusation of ‘enabling’.

Back to Reform’s wins.

Reform now need to deliver, something that is considerably more difficult than sniping from the sidelines.

The range of issues they need to deliver on is considerably broader than your Muslim fixation.

 

   Labour/Starmer are still the UK Government . 

You have ben blaming Conservatives for Labours failings.

Seems like you will be blaming Reform in future . 

If the UK fails to deliver , you will blame Reform 

If the UK delivers, you will congratulate Starmer/Labour

[Chelseafan]

18 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

If the UK fails to deliver , you will blame Reform 

If the UK delivers, you will congratulate Starmer/Labour

 

Sounds like someone we know across the pond 🙂

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

3 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

I'm British and regularly go back to the UK (in fact I'm off there again in 3 weeks). I also still have a flat in Whitechapel, one of the most muslim dominated areas of London. I have plenty of muslim friends and they have integrated very well thank you very much and very much consider themselves as English. Perhaps Bradford, Huddersfield and Rotherham (I don't know, haven't been there for a while) have issues but these isues are exagerated by the likes of Reform who (like yourself) are all about pointing out differences rather than commonality in an attempt to be relevant. 

 

No one is advocated for illegal immigrants. This something people like yourself love to conflate because in your mind since I'm pointing out the demonisation of immigrants I must condone illegal immigrants. I don't. I'm just pointing out this 'it's all the immigrants fault' is purile and frankly stupid. It's an issue (no one again is denying this) but in the grander scheme of things I would suggest large corporations not paying their fair share of tax or billionaires hiding their money off-shore or increases in N.I. contributions or doing away with fuel allowances for pensioners or the continued privitisation of the NHS (something Farage has openly admitted to wanting) are FAR more serious issues than illegal immigrants. But you just stick to your right wing talking points, decry us all as 'Gaurdian reading lefties' if it plays more to your echo chamber. I don't think for one minute I'm going to change your mind - because it's just easier for you to demonise rather than accept the nuances involved.

 

 

So you have a few muslim friends that unlike millions of other muslims in the UK, do not practice homophobia, the subjugation of women, honour killings, inter-cousin marriage, female genital mutilation, Sharia divorce, and the marriage of old uncles to multiple prepubescent nieces, an act that manages to combine both paedophilia and bigamy in one rounded package.

 

 

Your view of Islam in the UK is staggeringly myopic, just because you have some muslim friends that have integrated; that is, of course, until one of them slaughters his sister for wanting to marry the wrong man, just like the fully integrated Pakistani lad I knew well in London did.