Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party has, for the first time, topped a major public opinion poll in the United Kingdom, surpassing both the governing Labour Party and the Conservative Party, Al Jazeera reports, citing a new survey.
The poll, conducted by YouGov for The Times newspaper and published on Monday, revealed that if a general election were held today, 25% of voters would support Reform UK, a party whose platform centers on promises to “freeze immigration.” Labour secured 24% in the poll, while the Conservative Party trailed with 21%.
The one-point lead enjoyed by Reform UK over Labour falls within the margin of error, according to YouGov, which surveyed 2,465 people between February 2 and 3.
The results represent a notable shift in the political landscape. Labour, which won the national election in July of last year, experienced a three-point decline compared to the previous YouGov survey conducted on January 26-27. Reform UK gained two points in the same timeframe, while the Conservative Party, which had dominated British politics for over 14 years prior to last year’s electoral setback, also saw a one-point decrease.
Analysts suggest that Reform UK’s rise is fueled by disaffected former Conservative Party members, disillusioned by recent scandals and perceived failings of the established parties.
Last December, Nigel Farage declared Reform UK as the “real opposition,” following the party’s claim to have surpassed the Conservatives in membership numbers. Farage, a prominent figure in the Brexit movement and an outspoken critic of immigration, has previously drawn controversy for comments suggesting that many young Muslims “do not subscribe to British values.”
Echoing the rhetoric of his ally, US President Donald Trump, Farage focuses heavily on immigration and promises to address what he describes as the “broken” state of the UK.
Reacting to the poll results on Monday, Farage celebrated the shift in public opinion.
While the next UK parliamentary election is not required until August 2029, Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has the option to call an early vote.
