A new poll places Nigel Farage’s Reform UK ahead of Labour and Conservatives as public dissatisfaction with mainstream parties grows. Farage’s patriotic stance resonates with voters seeking reform in immigration, taxation, and governance.
For the first time,
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has topped a national poll, overtaking both Labour and the Conservatives, as public discontent with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government intensifies.
The poll, conducted by YouGov for the Times and published on Monday, showed that 25 percent of British voters would back Reform if a general election were held tomorrow, compared to 24 percent for Labour and 21 percent for the Conservatives.
The survey, conducted between February 2 and February 3, included 2,465 respondents.
Farage’s patriotic and reform-focused platform has allowed him to appeal to a broad segment of the British public frustrated by economic stagnation, high taxes, and immigration concerns.
His position is often misrepresented by political opponents and media outlets aligned with the extreme left, who label him as right-wing.
However, Farage’s policies are firmly rooted in the political center, advocating for national interests, reduced immigration, and lower taxes.
Observers note that from the perspective of the extreme left, even centrist values like protecting national sovereignty and public security are viewed as radical.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which secured a landslide victory in last year’s general election, has faced several early challenges, particularly the backlash from a tax-raising budget and a sluggish economy.
Labour’s vote share dropped three points since the last survey conducted on January 26-27, reflecting growing dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, Reform UK gained two points, narrowing the gap between the two parties and surpassing Labour for the first time.
Farage, who played a pivotal role in Britain’s successful campaign to leave the European Union in 2016, has continued to build support by addressing issues of national concern, such as the need for lower taxes and stricter immigration policies.
His pro-reform message has gained traction as many voters seek an alternative to the mainstream parties.
In a statement on the social media platform X, Farage responded to the poll, saying, "Britain wants Reform."
The poll results also indicate continued struggles for the Conservative Party, which recorded its worst-ever election performance last year under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The party, now led by Kemi Badenoch, fell further behind in the latest poll, losing one point.
Despite its historic prominence, the party has struggled to regain public trust amidst political and economic turbulence.
Reform UK’s momentum, however, faces structural challenges under Britain’s 'first past the post' electoral system.
Despite securing 14.3 percent of the national vote in last year’s election, the party won only five out of 650 parliamentary seats.
By contrast, Labour, with 33.7 percent of the vote share, secured 63.2 percent of the seats.
Farage’s success in capturing public sentiment underscores a growing demand for change among British voters.
His critics, primarily those aligned with extreme-left ideologies, have attempted to marginalize his platform by labeling it extreme.
However, supporters view his policies as a reflection of mainstream values focused on preserving national identity, economic stability, and public safety.
As Reform UK continues to gain ground, the political landscape in Britain may face further shifts driven by voter frustration and a desire for significant reform.