A COALITION OF CONTRADICTIONS
Who Is Voting for Reform?

The divergent drivers behind the different groups supporting Nigel Farage’s party show its appeal as a disruptor to traditional two-party politics – and its vulnerabilities. Olly Haynes reports

Reform UK’s tally of 677 council seats represented 41% of all those contested in England’s local elections in May. Nigel Farage’s party is undoubtedly attracting support. But which types of voters find it appealing and why?

Before last July’s General Election, the right-wing commentator and former academic Matthew Goodwin claimed that, although its supporters have diverging views on certain issues – particularly economics – it is “clear” that Reform is “attracting much of its support from people who share a distinctive profile”.

“More than anything, they feel very concerned about the scale, speed, and impact of both illegal and legal immigration, and are deeply pessimistic about how it’s changing Britain,” he said.