Reform UK is facing fresh turmoil as one of its own MPs has openly criticised Nigel Farage’s leadership.
Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, accused Farage of acting like a “messiah” and warned that the party needs to move beyond being a protest movement. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said Farage must “learn to delegate” if Reform wants to be taken seriously.
‘We Can’t Be a One-Man Show’
Lowe didn’t hold back, calling for a major shift in how the party operates.
“We have to change from being a protest party led by the Messiah into being a properly structured party with a front bench, which we don’t have,” he said.
He added: “Nigel is a messianic figure at the core of everything, but he has to learn to delegate. Not everything can go through one person.”
Lowe also suggested he might not stick around unless things change. “I’m not going to be by Nigel’s side at the next election unless we have a proper plan to change the way we govern from top to bottom.”
Farage Fires Back
Unsurprisingly, Farage wasn’t impressed.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he dismissed Lowe’s comments, saying: “It’s difficult to have a front bench with only five MPs, isn’t it? And he’s one of them.”
When pressed on whether he struggles to delegate, Farage hit back: “Delegate? I’ve delegated everything.”
He also pointed out that the party’s small size makes it difficult to structure things like traditional Westminster parties. “If we had 30 MPs, we’d have a front bench, but with five, we can’t.”
Political Rivals Pounce
The internal row hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp wasted no time in using the feud to attack Reform UK. “This internecine warfare at the top of Reform just goes to show that their MPs are more concerned with their own egos and personal ambitions than standing up for the British people,” he said.
“With one of Farage’s most senior MPs doubting his leadership abilities and admitting Reform is a protest party with no plan, it’s clear they’re not serious. Reform will always put self-interest above the national interest.”
What Next for Reform UK?
With tensions boiling over, the big question is whether Reform can hold itself together or if more MPs will follow Lowe’s lead.
Farage may dominate the party now, but if he wants to build something lasting, he might need to prove he’s willing to share the reins.
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