Generally, the decision-making circle is limited to a few key individuals. Aside from the main elected representatives and Yusuf, those noted by POLITICO include Farage’s Communications Director Dan Jukes, who functions as his chief of staff; longtime ally and strategist Chris Bruni-Lowe; Operations Director Aaron Lobo; and Director of Communications Ed Sumner.
Another member of Reform described Farage’s core team as “very tight.” A third person indicated that in critical moments, it’s four people plus Farage making the decisions, noting, “Ultimately Nigel is the leader and he makes the decisions.” Yusuf mentioned at a conference that Reform’s new immigration policy, which could result in around 600,000 deportations, was created “entirely in-house.”
On policy matters, however, Reform figures acknowledge their need for a broader base of thinkers. “Our biggest weakness is we have no experience in government,” said a fourth figure. “We have no one that knows the ropes.”
This often becomes apparent. Farage’s headline announcement to halt boat crossings in the English Channel “within two weeks of winning government” shifted to “within two weeks of legislation being passed” when he spoke to the press later. Tory strategists criticize what they perceive as fiscal inconsistency in Farage’s pledge to relax the two-child benefits limit — stemming from his desire for more British babies — while advocating for “serious cuts” to the welfare budget.
A fifth Reform member stated, “Nigel’s not a huge policy guy,” adding that his role is to propel the party forward and motivate its members.
And so, enter the wonks
The nine-member party board of Reform met for the first time last week. Members include Farage, Yusuf, chairman David Bull, racehorse trainer Andrew Reid, former UKIP leader Paul Nuttall, ex-GB News presenter Darren Grimes, regional mayor Andrea Jenkyns, former Tory candidate Dan Barker, and Farage’s former press chief Gawain Towler.
Leave a Reply