Support for Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party has dropped ahead of the July 4 election after he said the West provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A BMG Research poll showed Reform UK's support fell to 16 percent from 19 percent, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party rose slightly to 20 percent. Labour Party led with 42 percent. Farage’s comments drew criticism, but he repeated them during campaigning. The dip in Reform UK's support may ease pressure on the Conservatives.
Support for
Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party has declined ahead of the July 4 election, according to a BMG Research opinion poll.
The poll, conducted from June 24-26 for the i newspaper, showed Reform UK’s support at 16 percent, down from a record high of 19 percent the previous week.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party saw a slight increase to 20 percent, while Keir Starmer’s Labour Party remained far ahead at 42 percent.
Farage's comments during a BBC interview, where he claimed the West provoked Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine due to the eastward expansion of the European Union and NATO, drew significant criticism.
Despite the backlash, Farage reiterated his stance during campaign events.
Britain has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022, and public support for Ukraine remains solid.
The dip in support for Reform UK could ease some pressure on the Conservatives, as Farage’s entry into the election race had threatened to draw right-of-center votes away from Sunak’s party.
Rob Struthers, BMG Research Director, noted, 'This is a glimmer of hope for the Conservatives as the Reform surge appears to have stalled.
However, the overall picture for Rishi Sunak remains extremely bleak, with Labour’s lead over the Conservatives above 20 points.'
Adding to the Conservatives’ challenges, five party officials, including two candidates, are under investigation for bets placed on the timing of the election.
London’s Metropolitan Police announced they are investigating these bets for potential offenses, including Misconduct in a Public Office.